Today’s Education in the media blog looks at the Daily Mirror’s campaign for National Adoption Week and the Close Brothers survey which shows the benefits of apprenticeships.
Sibling adoption
This week marks National Adoption Week (16-22 October) and today, Tuesday 17 October, the Daily Mirror’s front page put the spotlight on siblings looking to be adopted.
As part of a series for National Adoption Week, the Daily Mirror is focusing on seven sets of four brothers and sisters who are looking for new parents.
In today’s paper, it features four siblings looking for a new family – “the family team” – Demi, Clayton and their two brothers Finley, two and Freddie, one, from the North East. The article looks at the importance of keeping siblings together during adoption and includes comments from First4Adoption, stating that nearly two-thirds of children awaiting adoption are siblings in groups of two or more who often wait longer than other children to find their forever family.
We are pleased to see the Daily Mirror raising awareness and promoting the adoption process, in particular the focus on siblings in need of adoption – a topic that is not often discussed. The department is supporting the paper with its campaign throughout the week.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
We know that a happy and stable home life is key to making sure our most vulnerable children grow up to achieve their full potential, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting them.
“Through our reforms, we are strengthening guidance for councils on what it means to act as a corporate parent, so that every single child, no matter where they live, receives the same high quality care. Almost 24,000 children and their families have also been supported by more than £50m of funding through the Adoption Support Fund.
Benefits of apprenticeships
Today, Tuesday 17 October, The Times ran an article based on a survey by Close Brothers Asset Finance, which claims apprenticeships are still the solution to Britain's skills shortage.
The survey says that more than eight in ten small businesses polled said that apprentices were the best way to narrow the skills gap.
Department for Education spokesperson said:
Our apprenticeship reforms have put control back into the hands of employers so they will gain the skilled workforce they need to compete globally.
We know that the last year has been a period of huge change for employers but it is right that they are taking their time to plan ahead and maximise the opportunities the apprenticeship levy can bring.
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