Latest news with #Esme
The Guardian
07-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘We have no support': foster carers take employment rights fight to UK supreme court
Louise* starts her workday getting the children breakfast and ready for school. After drop-off, she attends meetings, completes training and works through a growing pile of paperwork. She's also on standby as there's almost always a call to collect a child if there's been an issue at school. Then there's everything else that comes with parenting: GP and dentist appointments, buying clothes, arranging therapeutic support, and managing what's known as 'contact' with the children's birth parents. The problem for Louise, and thousands of foster carers across the country, is that they are not considered to be workers. Although their jobs are vital, this lack of recognition means they have no annual leave, no sick pay and no guarantee they won't face consequences just for raising concerns. 'It is a 24-hours-a-day job,' said Louise, who has been a foster carer for 14 years. 'I've had to take children to hospital. I've had a particular child who has been bed-wetting, so then I'm up changing beds. Or I've got a child that really cannot sleep.' Esme*, who has been fostering for more than a decade, said she and her husband had calculated their earnings at just 80p an hour. 'We must be the most exploited workers in the country,' she said. 'We care 24/7 for some of society's most vulnerable children, follow care plans, attend meetings, keep records, do training, be on hand for surprise inspections, yet we have no rights or protections whatsoever. Most foster carers are relying upon universal credit to get by.' Carers told the Guardian that while the role had professionalised over the past 30 years, pay and conditions had not kept pace. Chloe*, another foster carer, described the constant fear of children being removed if they raised concerns. When a disciplinary case is opened, 'you just have to back down and pray that it comes out in your favour'. All three women spoke only on the condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal from the agencies and local authorities they work with. In January, three foster carers won a landmark legal case, with a tribunal judge ruling they had the right to bring discrimination and whistleblowing claims to an employment tribunal. Now, they are taking their fight for full employment rights to the supreme court. 'At the moment, they treat these people as glorified babysitters that they can just kick out when they feel like it,' said Robin Findlay, the founder and general secretary of the National Union of Professional Foster Carers (NUPFC). 'That's why there are more foster carers leaving than there are joining. 'Some local authorities say 'well, they're not employees, so we don't have to treat them like one. They're self-employed. We can call them in when we need them and get rid of them when we don't.'' The NUPFC was launched in 2017 and operates around the clock. 'We have a morning briefing at seven in the morning and a night-time briefing at 10 o'clock at night – seven days a week,' Findlay said. He described how carers who repeatedly asked for more support or funding often faced retaliation. 'Those on the panel will have been briefed from the start: 'We've got to get rid of this one, she's a troublemaker.' She's asking too much, more money for shoes, for this and that, and it's affecting their profit margin.' Anger is growing over the rising role of private equity in the sector. Nearly a quarter of all foster placements in England are now provided by private companies making millions in profit. Foster carers say they are being squeezed while corporate agencies cash in. Esme criticised independent fostering agencies openly advertising that struggling carers could apply for universal credit, while making a fortune off the back of their labour. 'No one working 24/7 should be left struggling to cover their basic living costs,' she said. 'British taxpayers are paying twice: once for the overpriced foster placements bought from private agencies, and then again for benefits to cover foster carers' basic living expenses. 'The benefit system is propping up this entire broken model. That should be enough to cause public outrage.' The number of foster carers in England has now sunk to a 10-year low. Clare Ward, who recently stopped fostering after 13 years and is a representative for the FCWU, said: 'Foster carers are leaving in droves and it's not just because of the finances. It's because of that lack of respect, and we have no rights to protect us. 'We bring so much skill, experience and education to the role. People think we are providing essentially bed and breakfast and a loving home to children, but in reality we're running minor mental health units 24 hours a day in our homes with the country's most vulnerable children who have all been traumatised. And we're asked to support and advocate for these children without any power. We often end up vulnerable and traumatised ourselves. We have no support.' Ward is backing a campaign for a bill of rights for foster carers, including an independent central registration body to uphold professional standards and prevent local authorities or agencies from 'weaponising' children against carers. 'If you've got children that you're looking after but you've got a major issue with your employer, or say you're burnt out, you're exhausted, whatever it may be, they'll say 'we'll have to take the children off you then',' she said. 'And these could be children that you've loved for years and years. So you struggle on. That's really hard. There needs to be independent support.' Ward described the current system of allowances as a postcode lottery. 'You're constantly on the cliff-edge of financial ruin,' she said. 'In some areas, foster carers are paid by the household rather than by the child. So you might be looking after three children, and you're being given the same allowance as somebody looking after one.' *Names have been changed
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Perth Now
REVEALED: Winner in Perth poll for north or south of river
It's been decided. South of the river life is better than north of the river life. So says a tongue-in-cheek PerthNow poll where 52.2 per cent of respondents favoured living south of the mighty Swan River. In the comments section, Laurence L said: 'South. Have lived south mostly, now north so I know. It's definitely Southhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.' Chris B agreed: 'South is growing and just better all round. SOR for the win.' Living north of the river was favoured by 47.8 per cent of respondents, with readers being particularly passionate. George S joked: 'We need a big wall on the southern banks of the swan . And a passport control at the narrows . Keep them southerners out!' And n g quipped: 'If you want to recreate the thrill of the Pamplona Bull Run simply drop a 5 dollar note anywhere south of the river.' While Dave M added his two cents worth: 'It's pretty simple. They built the city on the north side of the river because even way back then, they knew the north was better and it still is.' Despite the poll result, very little in attitudes north or south of the river are likely to change — as evidenced by the Newman and Taylor families. Dave and Charlotte Newman live south in Como with their children Amelia, 17, and 14-year-old Lois. They have known James and Kellie Taylor — who live north in Edgewater with the kids Esme, 15, Hugo, 14, and eight-year-old Alfie. — for 20 years and while the families are good friends, they don't see eye to eye on location. 'I think the south is less crowded than up north, I think you have prettier suburbs and you're closer to better attractions like Margs and Mandurah and Fremantle,' Mr Newman, 48, said. 'Up north feels like a larger housing estate.' James and Kellie Taylor with Alfie, Hugo and Esme, and Charlotte and Dave Newman with Lois and Charlotte. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian Mrs Newman, 46, agreed. 'We've got Fremantle, which has got a lot of culture and great food, along with South Perth and we get to look at the lovely city at night from the south,' she said. However, Mr Taylor was having none of it. 'I think the north has got better suburbs, better as in more greenery, more parks, we have got the walk from Hillarys down to Trigg, like come on we've got the West Coast Highway,' the 47-year-old shot back. 'And there's quite a lot to do by the ocean.' Mrs Taylor, 39, added: 'I like the northern suburbs because everything is accessible and certainly for a young busy family, everything's in reach. 'We're near good restaurants and good coffee and beautiful beaches. People are very friendly.' Esme Taylor and Lois Newman. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian Even close childhood friends Esme and Lois struggled to come to middle ground on the debate. 'The south is better than the north because it's more cultural and more prettier,' Lois said. 'But the north feels safer,' Esme fired back. This reporter suspects we will be arguing the merits of life north and south of the river for as long Perth exists.
Daily Express
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Esme bags gold in fencing competition
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 By: GL Oh Text Size: Esme (front fourth left) with the other fencers and officials. Kota Kinabalu: Esme Primus captured the gold medal in the Inter-School fencing competition organised by SK Mutiara at their hall here recently. She easily defeated Safi Azzaleah Firdaus 10-1 in the final. Advertisement The bronze medal was won by Nur Umaiza Ameera Asra who beat Erina Saffiya Effendee 10-4 in the earlier playoff, while fifth and sixth places went to Maryam Riyatuddin and Safi Aleysha Firdaus respectively. Coach Ronald Syleaster said the Under-12 mixed competition was held to further expose the sport to students in schools. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Boden's linen dress 'perfect for warm days' now 30% off
Boden's linen dress 'perfect for warm days' now 30% off The Boden dress has a relaxed fit, with an easy shape but not too loose The pink dress from Boden comes with a geometric stamp print on it (Image: Boden ) A Boden linen dress, said to be "perfect for warm days", is now 30% off in the retailer's sale. The Esme Linen Short Dress was £136 but has now been discounted to £95.20, providing a £40.80 save for shoppers. The pink dress comes with a g eometric stamp print on it. The main part of the dress is made out of 80% linen and 20% recycled linen, and is easy to care and maintain as it is machine washable. The dress has a relaxed fit, with an easy shape but not too loose. The dress is also designed to fall on the knee. READ MORE: Luxury brand Reiss loved by Holly Willoughby reduces floral dress from £278 LATEST: 'Effortlessly stylish' New Look dress now 25% off in sale And with like most Boden clothing, the dress comes with side seam pockets. Boden's description of the dress reads: "No time to put an outfit together? The Esme linen mini is the epitome of a stylish throw-on dress. It's lightweight and cut in a tiered design complete with side pockets (of course)." This dress could be perfect for the summer months, whether you are dressing up for a family gathering, going out to meet friends or heading out for a meal on your holiday abroad. You could style the dress with your favourite pair of sandals - perhaps of brown or silver colour, to create a completed look. The dress has received a rating of four out of five stars, with 38 reviews. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . One happy customers said: "Love this dress - took to Malaga and was perfect for slightly sunny days. Lovely print and usual Boden quality." While another shopper said: "I normally wear a size 6 in items but anytime I order from Boden I size up. Beautiful dress and the color is stunning!" Another reviewer remarked: "I absolutely love this dress—thank you, Boden, for another great summer staple! The linen is light and breathable, perfect for warm days, and the cut is effortlessly flattering. "It's one of those dresses you can throw on and instantly feel put together. The blue is vibrant and fresh, and I know I'll be reaching for this one all season long." But not everyone was happy with their purchase. One shopper said: "The combination of poofy sleeves with a lack of waist definition joined together to make me look at least twice as wide as I actually am. "I looked like I was wearing American football pads on my shoulders. As other reviewers have mentioned, the dress was much too tight in the chest, and I worry that sizing up will only add to the width issue. "As much as I wanted to like this dress, and as great as it looks in the model photos, this one sadly had to go back." If you are looking for a similar dress for the summer, but for a cheaper price, you could purchase Marks and Spencers' M&S Collection Linen Rich Printed Square Neck Strappy Mini Shift Dress for £29.50. Article continues below Or for something a bit floral, you could buy the Cream/Yellow Floral Ditsy Print Embroidered 100% Cotton Mini Dress for £43 from Next.
Evening Standard
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
‘Unsung' pioneering actress and director Esme Church honoured with blue plaque
He said: 'Growing up with Esme around, it was always wonderful to see and hear about her work – whether it was entertaining troops in France during the First World War, becoming the head of The Old Vic Theatre School, or travelling to and from New York.
