Officers in England and Wales are going to get specialist advice from the new College of Policing guidance, on how to spot patterns of domestic abuse.
David Tucker - head of the college’s crime and criminal justice faculty, said
‘It is the responsibility of the perpetrator to stop the abuse and the responsibility of the police to bring the perpetrator to justice - the victim is not responsible for either.’
Adding that domestic abuse should be pro-actively investigated and that police should be ‘properly trained’.
It will also advise senior officers ‘about the need for specialist staff to deal with cases of abuse and ensure victims receive the best possible support.’
The full article can be found on BBC News here.
This seems a big step forward in educating the police officers that will be involved in domestic abuse cases. As I’ve mentioned before, I am in favour of anything that helps domestic abuse victims feel supported or safe.
If you are worried about any aspect of domestic abuse or maybe even worried about a friend, contact me or Sally Fitzherbert or ring us on 029 2039 5888 to have a chat.
Friday, 25 September 2015
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Adoption register in Wales to be run by the National Adoption Service
Following on from information in my blog post back in August it was announced last week, that after the closure of BAAF - British Association of Adoption and Fostering - that the adoption register in Wales will now be run by the country’s National Adoption Service.
Mark Drakeford - the health and social services minister for Wales commented:
‘As soon as we became aware of BAAF’s plans to close, we negotiated with its administrators to ensure services remained stable for an extra six weeks to support vulnerable children and assist people seeking to foster and adopt.’
It has also been announced that St David’s Children’s society has set up a new body that will offer training, legal advice and an advice line for the public. This will be known as the Association for Fostering and Adoption Cymru and will look to recruit former BAAF staff.
To read the full details please refer to Community Care article here and should you have any questions regarding the legal aspect of adoption then please feel free to contact me.
Mark Drakeford - the health and social services minister for Wales commented:
‘As soon as we became aware of BAAF’s plans to close, we negotiated with its administrators to ensure services remained stable for an extra six weeks to support vulnerable children and assist people seeking to foster and adopt.’
It has also been announced that St David’s Children’s society has set up a new body that will offer training, legal advice and an advice line for the public. This will be known as the Association for Fostering and Adoption Cymru and will look to recruit former BAAF staff.
To read the full details please refer to Community Care article here and should you have any questions regarding the legal aspect of adoption then please feel free to contact me.
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
Number of children waiting to be placed into adoption decreases by 40%
Further to my post earlier in August, I was keen to read up on the Adoption Leadership Board’s latest round of statistics covering the first quarter of 2015. A summary of which is given below:
- 2,810 children were waiting to be placed at 31 March 2015 - a 40% decrease from the same time period in 2014
- In 2013-14, the average number of days between entering care and placement was 594 days. During 2014-15 this was down to 533 days
- The latest quarterly data suggests timeliness is beginning to decline. In quarter 2 2013-14, 50% of approvals made by local authorities were made within 6 months of registration, while in quarter 4 2014- 15 this had decreased to 28% of registrations.
- Registrations to become an adopter have decreased by 23% from 7,450 in 2013-14 to 5,740 in 2014-15. The number of adopter families approved for adoption has increased by 1% from 5,190 in 2013-14 to 5,260 in 2014-15.
To read the full report please click here.
I am a member of the Law Society's Children Panel and am always happy to discuss any matter of child law. Please e-mail me with any questions that you may have.
- 2,810 children were waiting to be placed at 31 March 2015 - a 40% decrease from the same time period in 2014
- In 2013-14, the average number of days between entering care and placement was 594 days. During 2014-15 this was down to 533 days
- The latest quarterly data suggests timeliness is beginning to decline. In quarter 2 2013-14, 50% of approvals made by local authorities were made within 6 months of registration, while in quarter 4 2014- 15 this had decreased to 28% of registrations.
- Registrations to become an adopter have decreased by 23% from 7,450 in 2013-14 to 5,740 in 2014-15. The number of adopter families approved for adoption has increased by 1% from 5,190 in 2013-14 to 5,260 in 2014-15.
To read the full report please click here.
I am a member of the Law Society's Children Panel and am always happy to discuss any matter of child law. Please e-mail me with any questions that you may have.
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Domestic abuse fund now up and running
From 24th August 2015 local authorities will be able to bid for a share of a £3m fund set up to support the victims of domestic abuse.
The fund is now inviting bids for work in 2015 to 2016, led by local authorities working in partnership with service providers.
The full information can be read on the Family Law news page and it details that ‘successful applicants must demonstrate how they will support innovative and cost-effective proposals to deliver accommodation-based services for victims of abuse, and for services to help them access such support. They should also set out how they will further the development of local strategies on tackling domestic abuse and help create sustainable and long-term approaches to providing support for victims.’
It is hoped that the fund will ‘address any gaps in the provision of specialist accommodation-based support, and to provide support for victims seeking to access these services.’
The fund is now inviting bids for work in 2015 to 2016, led by local authorities working in partnership with service providers.
The full information can be read on the Family Law news page and it details that ‘successful applicants must demonstrate how they will support innovative and cost-effective proposals to deliver accommodation-based services for victims of abuse, and for services to help them access such support. They should also set out how they will further the development of local strategies on tackling domestic abuse and help create sustainable and long-term approaches to providing support for victims.’
It is hoped that the fund will ‘address any gaps in the provision of specialist accommodation-based support, and to provide support for victims seeking to access these services.’
Monday, 17 August 2015
Pension savings in the UK
I have recently read an interesting article in the Telegraph regarding pensions and the top places in the world to receive one. The Melbourne Mercer Global Pensions Index has reviewed the top places, and here is their top 8:
1) Denmark
2) Australia
3) Netherlands
4) Switzerland
5) Sweden
6) Canada
7) Chile
8) UK
Denmark came out on top as schemes are well funded, with good benefits and consumers are protected effectively.
The pension reforms in the UK have been happening for the last three years and are still continuing for smaller businesses - meaning that eventually all employees will automatically be enrolled in a pension scheme. Though it seems the UK has a little way to go to encourage everybody to proactively think about retirement.
In April 2015 in the UK, we also saw those retiring given free reign to spend their pension savings with one argument being, that a relaxing of the rules allows savers a greater freedom in their later life.
So where do we come in to all of this? Well, here at Hopkins Law we have a number of people ask us just how these new pension rules affect how individuals can pass pension assets to their family.
Any pension policyholder dying before the age of 75 has the option of passing their pension savings (assuming they have some left!) to anyone they choose. Their ‘nominated beneficiary’.
Anybody who has any assets should make a Will, so if this is something you think we could help with, please have a chat with our friendly Wills team, just give us a ring on 029 2039 5888 or email our specialist consultant Lynn Wheeldon.
1) Denmark
2) Australia
3) Netherlands
4) Switzerland
5) Sweden
6) Canada
7) Chile
8) UK
Denmark came out on top as schemes are well funded, with good benefits and consumers are protected effectively.
The pension reforms in the UK have been happening for the last three years and are still continuing for smaller businesses - meaning that eventually all employees will automatically be enrolled in a pension scheme. Though it seems the UK has a little way to go to encourage everybody to proactively think about retirement.
In April 2015 in the UK, we also saw those retiring given free reign to spend their pension savings with one argument being, that a relaxing of the rules allows savers a greater freedom in their later life.
So where do we come in to all of this? Well, here at Hopkins Law we have a number of people ask us just how these new pension rules affect how individuals can pass pension assets to their family.
Any pension policyholder dying before the age of 75 has the option of passing their pension savings (assuming they have some left!) to anyone they choose. Their ‘nominated beneficiary’.
Anybody who has any assets should make a Will, so if this is something you think we could help with, please have a chat with our friendly Wills team, just give us a ring on 029 2039 5888 or email our specialist consultant Lynn Wheeldon.
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Volume of calls to National Family Mediation service doubles in the past year
National Family Mediation have in the past year, seen the number of calls to their helpline significantly rise. With its helpline taking on average 3,400 calls per month from January to June 2015. In contrast the same period last year saw 1,600 calls each month.
NFM CEO Jane Robey commented:
“Couples are increasingly self-researching their options, and this is reflected in the huge increase in calls to dispute resolution specialists…our experience tells us people are cogitating, calculating and considering their next move. Our experts are helping more families in crisis than ever before and it’s a challenge to meet the soaring demand.’’
Please remember that we offer free advice clinics. We appreciate that, at times, you may not know whether a solicitor can help you, or how much it might cost. This is exactly why we have introduced a 'free clinic' at each of our South Wales offices so that you can pop in, pick our brains, and then see if you want to take the matter further. To discuss all matters relating to Divorce, Separation, Children, Finances and Civil Partnerships pop into our Cowbridge Free Advice Clinic runs on a Thursday from 2pm - 6pm.
NFM CEO Jane Robey commented:
“Couples are increasingly self-researching their options, and this is reflected in the huge increase in calls to dispute resolution specialists…our experience tells us people are cogitating, calculating and considering their next move. Our experts are helping more families in crisis than ever before and it’s a challenge to meet the soaring demand.’’
Please remember that we offer free advice clinics. We appreciate that, at times, you may not know whether a solicitor can help you, or how much it might cost. This is exactly why we have introduced a 'free clinic' at each of our South Wales offices so that you can pop in, pick our brains, and then see if you want to take the matter further. To discuss all matters relating to Divorce, Separation, Children, Finances and Civil Partnerships pop into our Cowbridge Free Advice Clinic runs on a Thursday from 2pm - 6pm.
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
BAAF - British Association for Adoption & Fostering announce changes
Following from an upbeat post of mine published on 21st July, relating to the positive statistics released on adoption successes in Wales. It has sadly been announced this week that the BAAF has now closed in England and alternative providers are being looked at for Wales.
Some of its functions in England have already transferred to the children’s charity and adoption agency - Coram and to a new entity - CoramBAAF Adoption & Fostering Academy.
The following functions will be provided by CoramBAAF:
- Research
- Policy & development
- Membership administration
- Professional advice & professional development
- Publications
- National adoption register for England
- National adoption week
- Adoption activity days
BAAF Wales will continue to trade on a limited basis for a brief period to allow consideration of options to transfer services and staff.
I will keep a close eye on developments relating to this news and if you have any questions regarding the legal aspect of adoption then please contact me.
Some of its functions in England have already transferred to the children’s charity and adoption agency - Coram and to a new entity - CoramBAAF Adoption & Fostering Academy.
The following functions will be provided by CoramBAAF:
- Research
- Policy & development
- Membership administration
- Professional advice & professional development
- Publications
- National adoption register for England
- National adoption week
- Adoption activity days
BAAF Wales will continue to trade on a limited basis for a brief period to allow consideration of options to transfer services and staff.
I will keep a close eye on developments relating to this news and if you have any questions regarding the legal aspect of adoption then please contact me.
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