Half of Youth Offending Services require improvement
Improvements are required in more than half of the Youth Offending Services inspected this year, according to the HM Inspectorate of Probation.
Of the 16 Youth Offending Services inspected, eight required improvement while one, Cardiff, was rated inadequate.
Chief Inspector Justin Russell said: “It is disappointing that the overall quality of the youth offending services we have [...]
Highest number of children’s homes registered could be in response to COVID
The highest number of children’s homes were registered by Ofsted between April and August, potentially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ofsted registered 176 new children’s homes between 1 April and 31 August, the highest number recorded in that period. This follows a continued increase in registrations year on year since at least 2015 and a [...]
Children in mental health hospitals at risk of serious rights violations
Children’s mental health has worsened over the past three years with many young people’s wellbeing deteriorating during COVID-19, a report has said.
There has been a dramatic rise in the number of children experiencing a significant mental health problem including depression, anxiety and eating disorders with the pandemic exacerbating problems. More than 3,500 children go to [...]
Education secretary acted unlawfully by failing to consult over care legislation during COVID
Education secretary Gavin Williamson acted unlawfully by failing to consult with children’s rights organisations ahead of introducing changes to legal protections for children in care, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Gavin Williamson acted unlawfully by failing to consult the Children’s Commissioner for England and other children’s rights organisations before making “substantial and wide-ranging” changes to [...]
COVID has devastating impact on children’s rights
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on children’s rights, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned.
In its latest report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the commission has expressed significant concerns about how the pandemic is exacerbating existing inequalities with key concerns including more children being [...]
National advocacy service launched in Scotland
The rights of children involved in the Children’s Hearings system will be reinforced through a national advocacy service in Scotland.
The service, which has £1.5 million funding in 2020-2021, means children and young people will be offered support to express their needs and views on decisions that affect their lives.
Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “This marks [...]
