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Judges reject appeal over whether protective duty had arisen in school exclusion case where pupil was vulnerable to child criminal exploitation

The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal over a High Court judge’s finding that the protective duty under Article 4 of the European Court of Human Rights had not been triggered at the time when a governing body’s disciplinary panel decided not to reinstate a pupil following his permanent exclusion. Read more
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February 20, 2025

The Family Drug and Alcohol Court: time to take the brakes off?

The Family Drug and Alcohol Court has been hailed as a “vital” service for helping families address substance misuse issues, yet access to this potentially life-changing approach remains a postcode lottery. Lottie Winson analyses how FDAC can benefit children and families, the financial impact for local authorities, and the barriers to a national rollout.
February 20, 2025

Homelessness and health

Julia Jones and Julie Bennett look at government guidance which suggests that the discharging from hospital of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness is a window of opportunity to address an individual’s complex needs.
February 19, 2025

Capacity, insight and professional cultures

Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) looks at an important new decision from the Court of Protection where the judge identified an evidential divide on capacity between social workers and clinicians.
February 19, 2025

Risk assessment in care proceedings

Reece McAllister analyses a significant Court of Appeal ruling on risk assessment and judicial reasoning in care proceedings.
February 19, 2025

A widening of worker status?

Charlotte Tosti analyses a landmark case in the Employment Tribunal over the question of whether foster carers are “workers” and can bring claims in the employment tribunal.
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On demand webinars

To view any of the webinars below, just click on the title. No payment or additional software is required. To see all forthcoming webinars, please click here.

Protecting Wildlife through the Rule of Law

42 Bedford Row provide an update on the state of play in protecting wildlife with legislation.

Adapting Adoption to the Modern World Webinar

Jennifer Youngs and Charlotte Mackenzie address current practice with respect to post-adoption contact.

Social Housing Webinar Series 2024 - ​Succession Claim Fraud

Desmond Kilcoyne and Matthew Timm examine several typical types of scenario where a fraudulent succession claim is made.

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February 19, 2025

From classroom to spa

A headteacher was recently given a green light to stay in the profession despite going on a school-time retreat. Alexandra Addington looks at the decision.
February 19, 2025

Set in stone

Jordan Warren looks at a recent case on whether there is an inherent jurisdiction to revoke an adoption order.
February 19, 2025

Use of AI with schools in Wales

Trish D'Souza and Claire Archibald examine the proposed review by Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, of the use of AI within schools.
February 14, 2025

The standards pendulum – 1927 to now

This is the third article in Bevan Brittan’s series considering the potential impacts of the English Devolution White Paper, this time looking at the standards element.
February 14, 2025

Supporting social work decisions: R (on behalf of TW) v Essex County Council

A recent Court of Appeal decision should reassure social workers that their reasonable decisions in relation to assessment of whether a child is ‘in need’ cannot be readily challenged through judicial review, writes James Arrowsmith. It also provides some helpful insights as to how to reduce the risk of disputes in respect of these assessments.
February 12, 2025

The role and relationship of NPPF and PPG

The Court of Appeal has provided guidance on flood risk policy and guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (“NPPF”) and Planning Practice Guidance (“PPG”), and the role and relationship of the NPPF and PPG more generally, writes Hugh Flanagan.
February 12, 2025

Respect Orders: Will they actually make a difference?

The Government has announced that they intend to introduce Respect Orders as part of the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill in an attempt to tackle the ever-increasing Anti-Social Behaviour. Ryan Wise looks at what has been proposed.
February 12, 2025

Telecoms code clarity

In an important ruling for both operators and site providers on the Electronic Communications Code, the Upper Tribunal has defined the limits of license assignments. Azmina Fozdar looks at the implications of the judgment.
February 10, 2025

AI in the energy sector

Maggie Burns shares her views on how AI will affect the energy sector and the new guidance from OFGEM.