Cathy Ashley πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦'s Avatar

Cathy Ashley πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦

@cathyashley.bsky.social

Chief Exective of the national child welfare charity Family Rights Group www.frg.org.uk Decent mother, aunt and friend (I hope) ✑️ Trustee of HIAS+JCORE 2009-16 Chair of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Salsa dance and run (sort of)

922 Followers  |  529 Following  |  89 Posts  |  Joined: 08.11.2024  |  1.6744

Latest posts by cathyashley.bsky.social on Bluesky

Am very unimpressed by people who only challenge racism, antisemitism and other vile behaviours when it's committed by a political opponent. . Ps the word weaponisation should be banned

06.12.2025 20:06 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I remember the times when I've been at the receiving end of antisemitic abuse. Including when it happened in my youth. It stays with you. So rather then deflecting & worse - Farage should either apologise or admit that such anti Jewish racism is what he still thinks.

06.12.2025 19:55 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Promotional graphic from the Family Rights Group about advice resources for when a child is deprived of their liberty. It features a search bar with the query β€œWhat does it mean when a child is deprived of their liberty?” and a photo of a young person in a red sweater and headphones sitting cross-legged. The background is purple with white text offering free specialist advice for parents and carers. The Family Rights Group logo is displayed in the bottom right corner.

Promotional graphic from the Family Rights Group about advice resources for when a child is deprived of their liberty. It features a search bar with the query β€œWhat does it mean when a child is deprived of their liberty?” and a photo of a young person in a red sweater and headphones sitting cross-legged. The background is purple with white text offering free specialist advice for parents and carers. The Family Rights Group logo is displayed in the bottom right corner.

πŸ”Ž Worried about what deprivation of liberty means for children?
Family Rights Group has clear advice on DoLs & secure accommodation orders.
πŸ‘‰ Learn about your rights & get support
https://frg.org.uk/get-help-and-advice/what/deprivation-of-liberty-dols-and-secure-accommodation-orders-for-children/

27.11.2025 10:05 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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OPINION: We called out far-left Jews as fringe. We must do the same to the far-right - Jewish News The health of our community depends not only on the statements made by institutions but on the conversations we have with each other, writes Adam Langleben

A superb piece.

www.jewishnews.co.uk/opinion-we-c...

02.11.2025 18:29 β€” πŸ‘ 36    πŸ” 14    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1
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Two Northumberland Reform councillors suspended Councillors Nicole Brooke and Patrick Lambert have the whip suspended pending a party investigation.

BBC News - Two Northumberland Reform councillors suspended - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

30.09.2025 21:54 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

This Sunday 5.45pm #Lab25 conference. Hear from AJ & Salma, care experienced young people how we can transform our care system so no child is left isolated & alone. Speakers also incl Children's Minister @joshmacalistermp.bsky.social & me.
I promise you it'll be a fringe meeting like no other.

27.09.2025 08:20 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Russia has network of 200 camps for β€˜brainwashing’ Ukrainian children – report Investigation uncovers documents and satellite imagery that confirm children being taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills

www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Russia's war crimes include kidnapping Ukrainian children who are taken to sites for patriotic indoctrination, weapons training and combat drills

21.09.2025 11:34 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Chilean mother reunites with her twin daughters for the first time in 45 years | CNN A Chilean woman whose twin daughters were stolen from her in 1979 has reunited with them for the first time in four-and-a-half decades.

"The Children of Silence" - Chilean babies stolen and adopted by Europeans, thanks to Pinochet. πŸ₯š #adopteesky

edition.cnn.com/2025/09/16/a...

17.09.2025 11:57 β€” πŸ‘ 68    πŸ” 27    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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A newcNAO report "The cost of supporting looked-after children in residential care almost doubled bet 2019-20 & 2023-24 to Β£3.1 bn"
Grotesque profiteering at the expense of children, families & the public purse. There's a strong case for a windfall tax on profits from private residential providers.

12.09.2025 16:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Thr Government should just do this.
A radical, popular step that would transform millions of children & families' lives.
No child should be born into & have to live poverty - it blight lives & our society.

29.08.2025 10:02 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Polling from @Moreincommon_ on Lucy Connolly

More than half think her sentence was too lenient or about right. Only a third that it was too harsh.

Only 18% think politicians should associate themselves her, while 51% think they should actively distance themselves from her.

29.08.2025 08:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1184    πŸ” 336    πŸ’¬ 52    πŸ“Œ 28
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Today, the Education Select Committee released its latest report on children’s social care in England. It shines a spotlight on the struggles many families are facingβ€”and the urgent need for change. See below how our Chief Executive, Cathy Ashley, has responded to the report.
ow.ly/7MAy50WnEra

10.07.2025 13:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Come and work with me!
@familyrightsgp.bsky.social is recruiting an Executive and Policy Assistant.

08.07.2025 22:17 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Good news for 100,000s of children, parents & #kinship carers - all children in a household on Universal Credit will now be eligible for free school meals

04.06.2025 22:09 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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✈️ Lifelong Links goes international!

We’re excited to share a glimpse from a recent trip to Oslo, where @cathyashley.bsky.social and @pamledward.bsky.social alongside FGC service manager Nicky Pallis, presented Lifelong Links to Norwegian sector leaders.

#LifelongLinks #BuildNotBreak #Norway #Oslo

27.05.2025 14:14 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

What an ignorant column in today's @theguardian.com Makes the bizarre assumption that children in care don't have any parents (or presumably families) -& answer to all lies in adoption. No exploration of safely averting children entering care, or reunification, kinship or foster care.

25.05.2025 19:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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#Coys
Worth the wait🀣

23.05.2025 19:21 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Taking the long view on family-group decision-making - CYP Now Tackling the serious challenges facing children and young people can feel overwhelming, and conversations about whatΒ weΒ can do about itΒ canΒ feel like they go round in circles.

In a new blog for Children & Young People Now, FRG Chief Exec @cathyashley.bsky.social and @childrenfirst.bsky.social Chief Exec @margl24.bsky.social tell us to take a step back and reimagine how we support children and families in need.

Read the full blog here: www.cypnow.co.uk/content/blog...

15.04.2025 15:06 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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At least 23 children and 9 aid workers reportedly killed in Al Fasher, Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps in North Darfur, Sudan Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell

"At least 23 children and 9 aid workers reportedly killed in Al Fasher, Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps in North Darfur, Sudan" @unicef.org
www.unicef.org/press-releas...

13.04.2025 14:49 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Sudan Clinic Workers Killed in Zamzam Camp Relief International said nine employees were killed when gunmen stormed the Zamzam camp in El Fasher, in the western Darfur region.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have killed the entire staff of the beseiged Zamzam camp's last medical clinic & killed at least 100 camp residents.
My friend's sisters & little children are in this camp in Western Darfur.
#Sudan
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/w...

13.04.2025 11:10 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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🎬 New Film Alert!

Parents with learning difficulties often face barriers navigating children’s services. Our new film with
@SpeakupSA explains:

πŸ”Ή How social workers should communicate
πŸ”Ή Key processes & terms
πŸ”Ή Support you can seek

πŸ“½οΈ Watch here: ow.ly/iZf950VtS83

03.04.2025 13:49 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
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School Swap: UK to USA review – full of beautiful moments that make you cry big, blobby tears This exchange between teens from south London and Trump-loving Arkansas is funny, touching and hugely eye-opening – in ways you do not expect

Huge kudos to pupils & teachers @elmgreenschool.bsky.social for participating in #SchoolSwapUKtoUSA on @channel4tv.bsky.social Definitely worth watching. Would love to know what you think. My daughter went to Elmgreen School & i helped set it up.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

12.03.2025 19:28 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks to MPs & Peers on @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social
for raising the challenges some kinship families are facing booking appointments for the children they are raising to receive crucial therapeutic support. Government must confirm funding ASAP.

@melanieonnmp.bsky.social @munirawilson.bsky.social

12.03.2025 18:11 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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PIP benefits: 'Worrying' number of teens lose payments at age 16 More than 124,000 young people have had claims for adult disability benefits refused, the BBC finds.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

12.03.2025 08:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Last chance to book - don't miss this event celebrating 50 years of @familyrightsgp.bsky.social Baroness Hale reflecting on the past 50 years of child welfare & family justice in England & Wales- & exploring the next 50. Plus reception & dinner with Sir Andrew McFarlane & Rt Hon Alan Johnson

10.03.2025 20:44 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

A big win for @familyrightsgp.bsky.social - the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill requires English local authorities to publish a kinship local offer setting out what support is available for kinship care households. But we need the Government to go further- read how frg.org.uk/news-blogs-a...

07.03.2025 08:12 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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NEW PROJECT πŸš€ We're also launching a new project with
Coram & @familyrightsgp.bsky.social, to help improve understanding of how families experience #FamilyGroupConferences & develop recommendations on how to achieve more equitable access 🌟

Find out more: foundations.org.uk/our-work/cur...

04.03.2025 10:53 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Our evidence has shown that #FamilyGroupConferences can help keep children safely with their families, but access to services can vary widely across the countryπŸ«‚

Find out more about the work we're doing with Coram & @familyrightsgp.bsky.social to address this: foundations.org.uk/our-work/cur...

04.03.2025 12:55 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

There are worms with more backbone than Graham.

28.02.2025 20:51 β€” πŸ‘ 604    πŸ” 58    πŸ’¬ 24    πŸ“Œ 2

@cathyashley is following 20 prominent accounts