The National Federation for Educational Research has published a report on teachers’ perspective of online safety. Findings include: 74% of teachers think that smart phones have made it easier for pupils to access inappropriate material at school, with nine out of ten secondary school teachers finding this difficult to manage; and 91% of secondary teachers and 52% of primary teachers say pupils have experienced cyberbullying.
Young Minds has published a report about the mental health of looked after children. Findings include: young people didn’t feel they could talk about their emotional needs with teachers because of their lack of understanding of the care system; there was a stigma around accessing mental health services; and foster carers would benefit from training on supporting the mental health of looked after young people.
The Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has published new research from the department of psychiatry at Harvard University about the impact of childhood abuse on brain growth. Findings include: the volumes of three areas of the hippocampus were reduced by up to 6.5% in people repeatedly exposed to abuse as children.
The Evening Standard reports on female genital mutilation in London. A Freedom of Information request from the newspaper found that over 2,100 women and girls in London have sought medical treatment for female genital mutilation since 2006, with 708 of those needing to be admitted or have surgery.
Southend-on-sea Local Safeguarding Children’s Board has released details of a serious care review into the death of a 34 day old baby boy. Issues identified include: the mother’s alcoholism and homelessness; domestic abuse; and the mother’s own childhood, which involved periods in care. Recommendations include: develop an interagency response to operational pressures and other issues which may impact on the effectiveness of the safeguarding system; and an ongoing national campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of co-sleeping.
The Department for Education has updated guidance on the use of reasonable force and screening, searching and confiscation. Issues covered include: what reasonable force is and when it can be used; and searching with and without the pupil’s consent.
Summary: Bulletin presenting Children Order statistical trends for Northern Ireland covering the period from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2011. Trend activity data are detailed in relation to Child Protection and Looked After Children. The bulletin is based on annual Children Order statistical returns provided by Health and Social Care Trusts to the DHSSPS.
Publication details: Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Northern Ireland, 2012 pp 59
Summary: Bulletin presents Children Order Statistical Tables for Northern Ireland, for the year ending 31 March 2011. Areas covered include child protection, children in need, looked after children and day care provision for children. The bulletin is based on annual Children Order statistical returns provided by Health and Social Care Trusts to the DHSSPS.
Publication details: Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Northern Ireland, 2012 pp 53
Tackling child sexual exploitation: the government’s new action plan.
Summary: Outlines the Department for Education’s action plan for preventing and reducing child sexual exploitation in England. In particular looks at the role of schools as set out in the action plan, including early signs and indicators and working with the voluntary sector. The action plan can be downloaded at: http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/c/tackling%20child%20sexual%20exp loitation%20-%20action%20plan.pdf
Publication details: Protecting Children Update Issue 85, 2012 pp 5-6
