Society daily 11.04.12

Protest by disabled people against cuts in their benefits. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Today's top SocietyGuardian stories

• Charity chief quits over fit-for-work test

• Rich using bogus charities to avoid tax, says David Cameron's spokesman

• Ed Miliband throws support behind Ken Livingstone's campaign

• Tanya Gold: Ricky Gervais, there is no justification for this lazy cruelty

All today's SocietyGuardian stories

In today's SocietyGuardian section

• Want a job? You'll have to get through boot camp first

• How we changed the law on stalking

• Mental health treatment gets street smart • Grey matters: As an older person, I've had it good – and the young know it

• One foot in the gravy: the rise of cookery classes for older men

• Big society turns out to be a big disappointment

• Public manager: How the UK can learn from India's Right to Information Act

• Tom Clark: Tax cuts for the rich reveal Osborne's double standards

On the Guardian Professional Networks

• Voluntary sector network: Charities need to tailor impact reporting to their needs and ensure it is fully embedded within the organisation, argues Katherine Smithson from the Charity Finance Group.

• How to ... demonstrate value for money in social housing. One Vision Housing recommends giving staff and tenants a role in scrutinising value for public money.

• Local government network: How will councils clear the hurdles they face, from scarce resources to making the most of social media?

• Live discussion: managing community events. Join us from midday today to talk about why street parties and large-scale events are a good way to engage with residents, post your thoughts and questions now.

• Local government in 2020: challenges and opportunities. How will councils clear the hurdles they face, from scarce resources to making the most of social media?

• Public leaders network leading questions: Mike Adamson, the head of the British Red Cross in the UK, on the future of service delivery, the big society and becoming a leader.

• Also on public leaders network: Using private money for public investment hasn't been an unqualified success, says Gillian Fawcett, of the Association for Certified Chartered Accountants

On my radar ...

• Scope and Netbuddy, the website for parents of disabled children, are joining forces to lift the lid on the role of the father in caring for disabled children – and they need the help of real-life caring dads to complete their survey on the subject.

An estimated 1 in 20 children in the UK are disabled (that equates to about 770,000 children), so as much as 5% of the population could be carer dads, say the two UK charities. With the focus often set on the role of their female counterparts, the project is designed to scratch beneath the surface and find out what dads think and how they're coping.

Do dads feel as confident as mums? Do their employers and work colleagues know they care for a disabled child? Do they feel that they can talk to others easily if things are tough? What would make dads more confident as carers? The survey is anonymous, easy to complete and should take no more than two minutes. Every person who completes it will get a £40 voucher to spend at Naked Wines and the chance to win £100 of Amazon vouchers.

If you're a father caring for a disabled child, go to the website to complete the questionnaire.

Other news

• There's been a rise in applications to take children into care in England, following the publicity surrounding the death of Baby Peter in 2007, reports the BBC. For the first time, data shows, the annual number of applications exceeded 10,000, and January 2012 saw the highest ever number recorded in an individual month, with 912 applications.

• Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Conservative chairman of the All Party Group on Tax has voiced his dismay with the idea of making people's tax returns public, claiming it would "trigger a jealous online backlash", reports the Telegraph.

• Campaign group Migration Watch UK has accused London mayor Boris Johnson of encouraging so-called health tourism after City Hall published a guide telling foreign visitors they wouldn't need to prover their immigration status to register with a GP, reports the Independent.

Events and seminars

Digital communications and campaigning for charities

Thursday 19 April, Kings Cross, London

This half-day seminar will enable you plan, implement and manage your online campaign to maximum effect. It will give you practical advise on how to get the most out of popular social media websites as well as help you define your target audience. This event is a must for anyone needing to plan a campaign to create relationships with supporters to champion your long-term aims.

The Green Deal - A real opportunity?

Tuesday 24 April, Kings Cross, London

The Green Deal offers opportunity for both the social housing sector and local authorities to reduce carbon emissions. How can your organisation maximise the benefits of the scheme for both tenants and your finances?

Making the most of social media for social housing

Friday 4 May, Kings Cross, London

This overview of social media channels will show you how to use them to maximum effect, with clear, practical examples of ways to save money, improve your communications and form a social media campaign

Managing volunteers

Tuesday 15 May, Kings Cross, London

Engaging with volunteers is an increasingly challenging task. This half-day seminar will help you explore what 21st century volunteers want and what you need to do to involve them effectively. Delivered by leading expert Rob Jackson, this session is a must for anyone building a long-term volunteer engagement strategy.

Successful bid writing

Friday 18 May, Kings Cross, London

Bid writing is an essential skill in voluntary sector organisations. This interactive seminar will help you create applications and bids that demonstrate your organisation's strengths and priorities, how you differ from other projects, what the benefits are for your clients and the community and how you'll be able to measure them.