| Young people representing 15 youth organisations across the UK have written to the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, calling for greater investment in youth services. Their letter follows comments made by Mr Gove during an Education Select Committee meeting suggesting that youth policy is not a priority for Central Government. |
| Source: Children & Young People Now |
| The Home Affairs Select Committe has published its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the draft Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Bill. Recommendations relating to young people include: provision in the bill for the annual review of all ASB interventions imposed on under-18s to ensure restrictions do not continue once behaviour has improved; the Injunction to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance should only be implemented after attempts to resolve issues through informal support and behaviour agreements have failed. |
| Source: Parliament UK 15 February 2013 |
| Further information: Committee report: draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill (PDF version) |
| The Child Protection All Parliamentary Group has published a report of the findings and recommendations of their inquiry into family justice reforms in the Children and Families Bill. Recommendations include: Government should provide training and support to social workers to enable them to produce good care plans and operate effectively in court; Government should ensure judges specialising in family law are used in family courts on a permanent basis. |
| Source: NSPCC Inform 11 February 2013 |
| Further information: Making care proceedings better for children (PDF version) |
| Ofsted has published a good practice resource highlighting the work of the South Whitehaven Sure Start Children’s Centre in supporting children and families through bereavement and trauma. They started a children’s bereavement group which enables children to express their grief in a supportive environment. Alongside the groupwork they offer activities such as play therapy, art, music and massage. |
| Source: Ofsted Press Release 30 January 2013 |
| Further information: South Whitehaven Children’s Centre – good practice example (PDF version) |
| The Ministry of Justice has published the annual Youth Justice Statistics. These show that in 2011/12, 8,419 restraint incidents were recorded in secure children’s homes, secure training centres and young offenders’ institutions. This is an increase of 17% on 2010/11 when there were 7,191 incidents. In addition, self-harm incidents rose 21% from 1,424 in 2010/11 to 1,725 in 2011/12. |
| Source: Ministry of Justice press release |
| Further information: Youth Justice Statistics 2011/12: England and Wales (PDF) |
| Children & Young People Now article |
| The Department for Education has published a plan of action to increase flexibility in the childcaremarket and deliver high quality early education. Proposals include: increasing the mandatory staff: child ratios from 1:3 to 1:4 for under-2s and from 1:4 to 1:6 for 2-year-olds; and imposing tougher entry requirements for those joining the early years workforce. |
| Source: Department for Education 28 January 2013 |
| Further information: More great childcare: raising quality and giving parents more choice |
| The Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Bill was introduced on 28th January 2013. It provides the statutory framework to integrate social services to support people of all ages. Provisions include: creating Safeguarding Children’s Boards; the establishment of a national adoption service; and stronger support and legal rights for carers. |
| Source: Welsh Assembly Government 28 January 2013 |
| Further information: Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Bill (PDF version) |
| Guardian article discussing bill |
| The Scottish Government has announced a programme of action to tackle child sexual exploitation. Pledges include: piloting improved identification of potential victims; improving the way this type of abuse is identified by Scotland’s new single police force; and providing a safe space for victims to share their experiences with the establishment of a National Confidential Forum. |
| Source: Scottish Government 30 January 2013 |
| Children are Unbeatable! Cymru is a campaign calling for the law to be changed to ban the physical punishment of children. They are also campaigning for a public education campaign to provide positive alternatives for disciplining children. The campaign is backed by organisations including Children in Wales and the NSPCC. To sign up, fill in the form on their website or emailsupportcau@childreninwales.org.uk for more information. |
| Source: Children in Wales 29 January 2013 |
| To coincide with Barnardo’s Fostering and Adoption week, the charity highlighted the following issues: a white child is 3 times more likely to be adopted than a black child; the proportion of children adopted drops from 1 in 3 when a child is under 4 to 1 in 15 when that child turns 5; 40% of children waiting for a new family have some sort of special need. |
| Source: Barnardos 21 January 2013 |
