| Ofsted has published statistics on looked after children placements by English local authorities as at 31 March 2015. Key findings include: there were 69,310 children and young people looked after by 151 English local authorities as at 31 March 2015. This was an increase of 756 children, or 1%, on the previous year (68,554). |
| Source: Children’s social care statistics 10 May 2016 |
| Further information: Children looked after placements by English local authorities (PDF) |
Source: CASPAR
The NSPCC reports that new figures from ChildLine reveal a rise in the number of schoolchildren worried about exams. ChildLine carried out 3,077 counselling sessions about exam stress to young people last year, a rise of 9 per cent on 2014/15. ChildLine has launched a new video featuring advice and tips for managing exam stress
| Ditch the Label has published its annual bullying survey for 2016. Key findings include: 1.5 million young people (50%) have been bullied within the past year; 24% of those who have been bullied go on to bully; 44% of young people who have been bullied experience depression. |
| Source: Ditch the label 19 April 2016 |
| Further information: Annual Bullying Survey 2016 |
| The Children’s Society has published a report on improving identification and disclosure of sexual exploitation among boys and young men trafficked to the UK. Key points raised include: boys and young men who are sexually exploited are unlikely to receive appropriate care and support due to lack of awareness; disclosure of sexual exploitation may not be full or direct; more training for frontline staff and practitioners is needed. |
| Source: Childrens Society 22 March 2016 |
| Further information: Boys Don’t Cry (PDF) 22 March 2016 |
| Children & Young People Now 22 March 2016 |
Source: CASPAR
| The Early Intervention Foundation has published a review of methods to improve inter-parental relationships and the resulting effect on child wellbeing for the Department for Work and Pensions. Key findings include: the way parents communicate and relate to each other is a primary influence on children’s long-term mental health; targeting the parent-child relationship only in the context of ongoing inter-parental conflict does not lead to sustained positive outcomes for children. |
| Source: Early Intervention Foundation 22 March 2016 |
| Further information: What works to enhance inter-parental relationships and improve outcomes for children (PDF) 22 March 2016 |
| Department for Work and Pensions 22 March 2016 |
Source: CASPAR
| The Scottish Government reports that, following the introduction of changes to supporting children and vulnerable witnesses in Scottish courts, more than 13,000 applications for special measures to support vulnerable people in court were made in 2015. |
| Source: Scottish Government 11 March 2016 |
| Further information: Answer to a parliamentary question on numbers of applications for special measures since 1 September 2015 |
| The Northern Ireland Department of Justice has commissioned MindWise to develop Mental Health & Wellbeing and Personality Disorders – a guide for criminal justice professionals. Contains a section on mental health issues affecting children and young people, which highlights the potential impact of child abuse on children’s behaviour and mental wellbeing. |
| Source: Northern Ireland Executive Press Release 18 March 2016 |
| Further information: Mental Health & Wellbeing and Personality Disorders – a guide for criminal justice professionals (PDF) |
Source: CASPAR
| The BBC reports that almost 700 convicted sex offenders have been removed from the sex offenders register in the last 4 years, including 157 people who had been previously convicted of child sexual abuse (CSA), 27 offenders who raped people under 16 years old and 3 who committed incest with children under 13. |
| Source: BBC Online 21 March 2016 |
Source: CASPAR
| The findings of the Drew Review, an independent review of South Yorkshire Police’s (SYP) handling of child sexual exploitation 1997 – 2016 have been published. Recommendations include: develop a new, thematic action plan using gap analysis of all investigations to date; commission ‘Learning Lessons Reviews’ after the conclusion of each major investigation; implement a standard operating procedure for the investigation of child sexual exploitation and the management of intelligence related to it. |
| Source: Drew Review 23 March 2016 |
| Further information: Independent review of South Yorkshire Police’s handling of child sexual exploitation 1997-2016 (PDF) 23 March 2016 |
| Guardian 23 March 2016 |
Source: CASPAR
