Family hubs

Family hubs

The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a discussion paper on the use of family hubs to deliver early intervention services to the whole community. Key points include: family hubs should be a one-stop-shop offering support on a variety of issues to vulnerable families; a thorough evaluation of existing family hubs has not been possible as they have only been in place since April 2015 but initial figures are promising.

Source: Children’s Commissioner for England  Date: 28 October 2016

Further information: Family hubs: a discussion paper: co-ordinated local support and intervention for children in need and their families (PDF)

 

Fathers’ support for teenage boys’ mental health

Fathers’ support for teenage boys’ mental health

Time to change reports on the findings of a survey about young men’s mental health. A poll carried out by Censuswide of 1,504 boys aged between 16-18 years old year found: 49% of participants would not feel comfortable talking to their dad about their mental health and over a third said this was because their dad doesn’t talk about his feelings; 57% wanted their fathers to talk to them; 70% of sons felt comfortable talking about their mental health when this had been encouraged by their father.

Source: Time to change  Date: 28 October 2016

 

Tackling child neglect in the UK

Tackling child neglect in the UK

Research, Policy and Planning has published a special issue on child neglect. This features an overview of research, policy and practice across the UK as well as articles about developments on tackling child neglect in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Source: Research, Policy and Planning  Date: 26 October 2016

Further information: Research, Policy and Planning: the journal of the social services research group. Special issue on child neglect (PDF)

Safeguarding unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children

Safeguarding unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a written statement from the Minister of State for Vulnerable Children and Families, saying that the government will publish a strategy giving details on how unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee children should be safeguarded by 01 May 2017. Measures to be taken are outlined, including increasing the number of foster carers; ensuring the system for identifying children and safely uniting them with family or potential carers is strengthened; ensuring there is a joined-up approach across the United Kingdom.

Source: DfE  Date: 01 November 2016

Mandatory reporting for female genital mutilation

Mandatory reporting for female genital mutilation

Viv Bennett, Chief Nurse of Public Health England, blogs about the first year of mandatory reporting for female genital mutilation (FGM) and the role of school nurses and health visitors in identifying and safeguarding girls who are at risk. She outlines the criteria for mandatory reporting, explains the requirements for professionals and highlights the importance of professionals having the confidence to ask the necessary questions.

Source: Public Health England  Date: 01 November 2016

Further information: FGM: video resources for healthcare professionals

Children living in emergency accommodation

Children living in emergency accommodation

Shelter has published a report on children and families in England, Scotland and Wales living in emergency accommodation. Key findings include: 12,903 children are living in one room and sharing facilities in accommodation such as homeless bed and breakfasts, cheap hotels and hostels; parents living in emergency accommodation were concerned about their children’s mental and physical health and safety.

Source: Shelter  Date: 03 November 2016 / CASPAR

Further information: Desperate to escape: the experiences of homeless families in emergency accommodation (PDF)