Latest News

01/03/2021: Study shows one-in-three children have rarely been leaving the house

Health, Coronavirus

A new study indicates that only a third of children in Bradford had sufficient exercise in the first lockdown, last spring – and that a similar proportion were rarely leaving the home. Dr John Wright, of Bradford Royal Infirmary, says this is contributing to a different kind of health crisis, one that began long before the pandemic, but risks becoming worse because of it.

BBC

01/03/2021: Why this teen set up a prize-winning fake cosmetics shop

Domestic Abuse, Coronavirus

Disturbed by reports of rising domestic violence under coronavirus lockdown, a Polish high school student decided to launch a fake online shop to offer a lifeline to victims trapped in their homes. Her idea won a European Union prize that came with €10,000 (£8,700; $12,120). “Firstly, I heard about the increase in domestic violence cases during the pandemic. Then I heard about a French initiative, where people go to the pharmacy and ask for a special mask that lets the pharmacist know they are a victim of domestic violence,” Krystyna Paszko explained.

BBC

01/03/2021: Poorer students ‘three A-level grades behind better-off peers’

Education, Family

The first study to measure the education “disadvantage gap” amongst sixth form and college students has found that poorer pupils are on average the equivalent of three whole A-level grades behind their better off peers. The study, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and conducted by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), found that the gap in attainment is largely a result of poorer students already having lower grades at the end of their GCSEs.

Children and Young People Now

01/03/2021: Care Review officially launches as experts panel revealed

Looked after children, Politics, Professionalism

England’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care has officially launched with the naming of its experts by experience group. It was today (1 March) announced that work is “underway” as chair Josh MacAlister revealed the review’s new website and Twitter account as well as the names of 16 people successfully appointed to the experts by experience group.

Children and Young People Now

01/03/2021: New measures added to Domestic Abuse legislation

Domestic Abuse, Politics

Work with offenders on three important new amendments. Women’s campaigners have fought a long and hard campaign to ensure that the Domestic Abuse Bill has the powers it needs to protect victims of domestic abuse. The Bill was first promised by the Government almost four years ago, it started its progress through parliament only to fall because of the pressures of Brexit and the 2019 general election. The Bill was reintroduced to parliament last March and will start its report stage next week. However, it does appear that the co-ordinated campaign has been successful in many ways.

Work with Offenders

28/02/2021: Counselling service sees rise in caseload

Health, Coronavirus

More counsellors are needed due to the rising number of young people with mental health problems in lockdown, a charity has warned. Bedford Open Door, a service for 13 to 25 year olds, said it needed to “increase capacity to meet demand”. Michele Flynn, operations manager, said they had seen increases in the number of youngsters who were self-harming or had suicidal thoughts.

BBC

27/02/2021: Doctors fear new child mental health crisis in UK, made worse by Covid

Health, Coronavirus

A surge in child mental health cases is expected to emerge as schools reopen next week, amid warnings of a “crisis on top of a crisis” hitting vulnerable children during the pandemic. Paediatricians, psychologists and charitable groups providing mental health support all told the Observer they were seeing increasing demand and warned of another surge as lockdown is lifted. Several reported longer waiting lists for young people in need of help.

Guardian

27/02/2021: How we’ve made wellbeing a taught subject in our school

Education, Health

Wellbeing is often spoken of as a priority – but here one leader explains how her school has embedded it in its curriculum. When we planned for the opening of our new school, I and the founders wanted wellbeing to be something embedded throughout the school, not just as an ethos but as a taught subject – and at all ages.

Times Education Supplement

26/02/2021: New £20m fund focuses on keeping children out of justice system

Politics, Youth Justice

A new £20m investment from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) will be used to evaluate programmes aimed at keeping children out of the criminal justice system. The fund is the first of two £20m pots created following a four-month consultation with young people with lived experience of violence and professionals working with them.

Children and Young People Now

26/02/2021: Anti-racism toolkit launched by leadership group

Diversity, Education, Professionalism

The Black FE Leadership Group has launched a 10-point tool kit to inform, guide and challenge further education providers to tackle racism and promote diversity, inclusivity and equality across the sector. The group wants the toolkit to be used by education providers and governing organisations across the FE sector, including the Department for Education and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, as well as member organisations such as the Association of Colleges and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers.

Times Education Supplement