Young people ‘crushed’ by COVID pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a “crushing impact” on young people, the children’s commissioner for Wales has warned.
In a second nationwide survey of the views and experiences of children and young people in Wales, ‘Coronavirus and Me,’ carried out last month, Professor Sally Holland found young people expressing frustration and sometimes anger, about the impact [...]
One in 10 17-year-old has tried hard drugs
One in 17-year-olds have tried hard drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, research by UCL has found.
The study, which explores engagement in substance use and antisocial behaviours among Generation Z as they reached late adolescence, found that one third of 17 year olds had tried cannabis with one in 10 trying harder drugs. More [...]
DfE launches consultation on extending flexibilities to social workers amid pandemic
The government is consulting over plans to extend flexibilities for local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The consultation, which runs until 28 February, is seeking views on a proposal to extend or amend a limited number of flexibilities within the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No'.2) Regulations 2020, in relation to Medical Reports, Virtual Visits and [...]
Gang exploitation shows ‘no sign of abating’
A lack of coordination between different agencies responsible for helping to keep vulnerable children safe is leaving them at risk of exploitation, a report by the children’s commissioner for England has found.
In her report assessing how effectively existing infrastructure within local authorities is being used to deliver [...]
Two thirds of victims and survivors do not disclose abuse at the time it occurs
More than two thirds of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse did not tell anyone about the abuse at the time, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has found.
The analysis of The Inquiry’s Truth Project found that one in 10 victims and survivors disclosed the abuse for the first time when they spoke [...]
Social workers in Wales stretched to a point never seen before
Social workers are stretched and exhausted, children’s services leaders in Wales have warned.
President of ADSS Cymru Nicola Stubbins said the pressure to maintain the delivery of social work services is becoming more and more challenging and taking its toll on frontline workers.
“Social care staff are stretched now to a point I've never seen before and [...]
