The top article is Charles Pragnell's piece in the International section, attacking false diagnostic categorisation which, he argues, not only fails to protect children and young people but actually leads to their abuse. The International section also includes a piece from Slovenia on domestic violence, among other issues.
Our editorials are on two very different themes. In the Webmag, we are attacking a Government draft document which permits smacking. What do people outside the UK think of that? In the International section, we look at the ways that international links have been developed and maintained over the years and ask whether we can do better.
In the Webmag, Keith White has kept up our theme on inspection by having a go at systems of regulation which are anti-task, Terry Hoon is reminiscing and wondering about whether things are getting better or worse, Kathleen Lane is still wandering around the beautiful city of Prague, and there is a new column by Gus Greene, offering advice on practice issues.
There is a book review by Jim Hyland and a caustic review of a Government consultation document by Noel Froude. Keep looking at the news too; it has items from round the world. Please keep sending them in, and if your organisation puts out press releases, email them to us.
Geoff Lake starts off a new occasional Webmag series, Soapbox, with a thought provoking article on training residential social workers. No doubt his views will up blood pressure in some quarters and we look forward to the flak - sorry feedback.
We have also included a well-researched document published recently by the Association of Directors of Social Services on the destruction of documentation concerning children and young people in the Information Base, as we feel that it will be a useful reference guide on the subject for years to come.
For FICE members, there are the report of the last President, Robert Soisson, on his years in post, the Federal Council meeting minutes from Maastricht and a paper prepared for the young people who met in parallel with the Maastricht Congress, among other things.
 

 

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