Female genital mutilation statistics

NHS Digital has published the female genital mutilation (FGM) annual report for England for the period April 2016 to March 2017. Key findings include: there were 9,179 attendances reported at NHS trusts and GP practices where FGM was identified or a procedure for FGM was undertaken; 5,391 cases were newly recorded; the 5 to 9 year old age group was the most common age range at which FGM was undertaken; in 57 cases, the FGM was known to have been undertaken in the UK.

Source: NHS Digital  Date: 04 July 2017

Further information: Female genital mutilation (FGM) enhanced dataset – April 2016 to March 2017, England, experimental statistics

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Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill

The first reading of Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill in the House of Lords took place on 3 July 2017.

Source: UK Parliament  Date: 03 July 2017

Further information:  Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill (PDF)

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Experiences of LGBT pupils in schools

Stonewall has published research into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) pupils in Britain’s schools. Findings from an online survey of 3,713 LGBT young people aged 11-19 include: 45% are bullied for being LGBT – this is down from 55% in 2012 and 65% in 2007; 45% of LGBT pupils who are bullied for being LGBT never tell anyone about the bullying; 9% of trans pupils are subjected to death threats at school; more than four in five trans young people have self-harmed, as have three in five lesbian, gay and bi young people who aren’t trans.

Source: Stonewall Date: 27 June 2017

Further information: Further information: School report: the experiences of lesbian, gay, bi and trans young people in Britain’s schools in 2017 (PDF)

Secondary school mental health training

The government has announced that, from June 2017, teachers in secondary schools in England will take part in a training programme to help them identify and respond to early signs of mental health issues in children. Teachers will receive practical advice on how to deal with issues such as depression and anxiety, suicide and psychosis, self-harm, and eating disorders.

Source: Gov.uk  Date: 27 June 2017

The Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill

The Scottish Government has published the the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill and accompanying documents. The Bill will introduce a duty on public and other services to consider if the sharing of information will promote, support or safeguard the wellbeing of a child or young person. It will also ensure that the sharing is compatible with current law.

Source: Scottish Government  Date: 20 June 2017

The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill

The Scottish Parliament has voted to remove the three year limit on survivors of childhood abuse seeking civil damages in court. The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill will mean that cases arising from childhood abuse on or after 26 September 1964 will no longer face the barrier of the limitation period. The Bill passed Stage 3 on 22 June 2017.

Source: Scottish Government  Date: 22 June 2017

Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill

The first reading of the Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill in the House of Lords took place on 26 June 2017. A Bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales from ten to twelve.

Source: UK Parliament  Date: 26 June 2017

Home Education (Duty of Local Authorities) Bill

The first reading of the Home Education (Duty of Local Authorities) Bill in the House of Lords took place on 27 June 2017. The Bill makes provision for local authorities to monitor the educational, physical and emotional development of children receiving elective home education, and for connected purposes.

Source: UK Parliament  Date: 27 June 2017

Education outcomes for looked after children in Scotland

The Scottish Government has published statistics on the attainment, post-school destinations, and the school attendance and exclusion rates of all looked after children in 2015/16. Key findings include: education outcomes for looked after children have improved, however there are still gaps compared to all pupils; and looked after children with the most positive education outcomes are those in foster care rather than in other care settings, those with fewer care placements in the year and those who have been looked after for the whole year, rather than just part of it.

Source: Scottish Government  Date: 29 June 2017

Further information: Education outcomes for looked after children 2015/16 (PDF)

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller resources

The Children’s Society has made available resources produced to support professionals and carers working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities looking at how they can keep their young people safe from child sexual exploitation (CSE). Resources include: Stay safe; don’t send, an animated film made by Gypsy and Traveller young people to raise awareness among their peers about how to stay safe online; a guide for professionals; and leaflets and posters in English, Slovak and Romanian outlining the warning signs of CSE and where to find help and information.

Source: The Children’s Society  Date: 29 June 2017

Further information: Stay safe; don’t send: a practitioner’s guide (PDF)