Surrey News
mary angell
Surrey wins £729,000 for mental health services
A Surrey scheme to provide round-the-clock support for young people with mental health difficulties has secured Government funding worth £729,000. The announcement was made by the Department for Education, which has issued the following press release: £729,000 for round-the-clock support for young people in Surrey on the brink of crisis A brand new scheme to … Continue reading
Play educates pupils about sexual exploitation
Hundreds of pupils at Surrey schools have seen a play staged to help them spot the signs of sexual exploitation. Chelsea’s Choice, which has just finished a tour of more than 40 county schools and colleges, gives young people and parents advice on where to turn to get help. In the tale, Chelsea has fallen out … Continue reading
Surrey’s pledge to young people leaving care
Surrey County Council has signed a pledge spelling out its commitment to young people leaving care. The charter details promises the council has made to help them realise their full potential. It includes making sure they are listened to, treated with respect and are involved in making decisions. One way the council is helping care … Continue reading
Foster mum backs appeal for more carers
A mum who has been fostering for more than a decade is urging others to give disabled children a loving temporary home. Tina from Guildford has fostered over 40 children, including a 10 year-old girl with learning difficulties, since 2005. Now she is calling on people to throw open their doors either on a short-term … Continue reading
Surrey signs off £740,000 for disabled children’s groups
Details: A charity that helps disabled children has been handed £500,000 by Surrey County Council to transform its Guildford play centre. Cabinet Member for Children and Families Mary Angell awarded Disability Challengers the cash as she signed off nearly £740,000 of funding for voluntary groups that provide activities for disabled young people and give their … Continue reading
Surrey leader meets Education Secretary
Picture caption: On the day that Surrey County Council leader David Hodge met Education Secretary Michael Gove, Surrey was confirmed as being in the top-performing authorities at GCSE. Official figures showed that Surrey is in the top 20 education authorities in the country, with more than eight out of 10 pupils getting five or more … Continue reading
Surrey puts adoption and maternity pay on equal footing
Staff who give children a loving home will get the same cash support as birth parents under a scheme unveiled by Surrey County Council. The authority has put adoption and maternity pay on an equal footing to help female employees taking responsibility for caring for children who cannot stay with their own family. Surrey’s scheme … Continue reading
Scheme stops new social workers quitting from stress
Just one newly qualified social worker quit in a year following the launch of a scheme to help them cope with the demands of the job. Surrey County Council joined forces with Kingston University to help newly qualified social workers get to grips with the stress of keeping children safe*. In 2011, only one left out of … Continue reading
Children’s Minister urges councils to follow Surrey’s lead
i Minister Tim Loughton has urged other local authorities to follow Surrey County Council’s lead by launching a savings scheme for children in care. The Children’s Minister described Surrey’s scheme that sees cash young people pay into a savings account doubled by the council as “very innovative”. County councillors are also contributing from their members’ allocation … Continue reading
Chelsea youngsters achieving football dream thanks to foster mum’s help
As Chelsea prepare for Saturday’s Champions League final, two of the club’s young players talk about how they are achieving their football dream thanks to the help of their foster mum. With Foster Care Fortnight kicking off (14 May) in the same week Chelsea play Bayern Munich in the European final, Peter and Joe explain how 42-year-old … Continue reading
Surrey wins national technology award
Surrey County Council has won a national technology award supported by the Prime Minister. The council won the best project delivery category in the UK Public Sector Digital Awards for developing technology to help support vulnerable children*. David Cameron said the awards recognise “brilliant work” in local government. He said: “I congratulate all the nominees … Continue reading
Surrey unveils plans to double savings of children in care
Children in care could benefit to the tune of nearly £1,600 from Surrey County Council as part of plans to double their savings and put them on a sound financial footing for adult life. Under the proposal, cash young people pay into a savings account* will be matched by the county council in what is … Continue reading
Government watchdog says Surrey’s children’s services are performing well
Context: Ofsted has this week said Surrey’s children’s services are “performing well” in an assessment of the department. In its annual report on the council’s performance, the watchdog said: Almost all the children’s services the council provides are “good or outstanding” Most primary schools are “good or outstanding” Most secondary schools are “good or outstanding” … Continue reading
Surrey calls for more people to come forward to adopt
Surrey County Council is looking for 21 families to adopt children who are currently waiting for a home. The council is particularly keen to hear from people who could offer a home for older children, sibling groups or children with specific health issues. The call is being made to coincide with National Adoption Week, which … Continue reading
