Tagged With "Children and Young People"
Blog Post
62 per cent of LGBT+ people have experienced suicidal thoughts as a result of bullying (indy100.com)
The Annual Bullying Survey 2018 published their findings, based from 9,000 young people questioned in the UK. The research is shining a much-needed light on the current climate of bullying for young people and are calling for victims and witnesses to report bullying. The impact of bullying on mental health shows a concerning trend, most notably amongst the LGBT+ community. A staggering 31 per cent had attempted suicide as a result of being bullied, with 51 per cent admitting to self harming.
Blog Post
According to the latest personal wellbeing report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average ratings of anxiety increased between the years ending September 2015 and 2016.
Life satisfaction, worthwhile and happiness, however, remained unchanged during this time. Research also found that Wales was the only country to have higher anxiety ratings than the UK average. The report, entitled ‘Personal wellbeing in the UK: Oct 2015 to Sept 2016’, included a survey of adults in the UK, to better understand how they feel about their lives. Despite a growth in the levels of anxiety, the average ratings remained lower compared with the years ending September 2012 and...
Blog Post
ACES in Blackburn with Darwen
A Blackburn with Darwen study found that almost half (47%) of adults across the Borough have suffered at least one ACE, with 12% of adults in Blackburn with Darwen having suffered four or more ACEs. The study has shown that the more ACEs individuals experience in childhood, the greater their risk of a wide range of health-harming behaviours and diseases as an adult. The ACE animation below tells the story of a young boy growing up, and how his experience with ACEs could affect his life...
Blog Post
ACEs in Wales: Children who suffer abuse more likely to be involved in violence & misuse drugs & alcohol as adults
Adults in Wales who were physically or sexually abused as children or brought up in households where there was domestic violence, alcohol or drug abuse are more likely to adopt health-harming and anti-social behaviours in adult life... http://www.aces.me.uk/in-wales/ http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/news/40000
Blog Post
All pupils will be taught about mental and physical wellbeing (gov.uk)
It's a start. Clearly many children do not grow up in households where this information is known and understood and healthy patterns hold. I believe we still have a way to go including ACEs and that emotional health is key. All children in England will be taught how to look after their mental wellbeing and recognise when classmates may be struggling, as the Government unveils new guidance for the introduction of compulsory health education. Bold new plans set out today (Monday 25 February)...
Blog Post
An examination of class-based visibility bias in national child maltreatment reporting.
An examination of class-based visibility bias in national child maltreatment reporting. Authors: Hyunil Kim, Brett Drake and Melissa Jonson-Reid Format: Article Summary: Examines the relationship between poverty and children's exposure to professional reporters to see if increasing poverty leads to higher level of reports, sometimes known as Class-Based Visibility Bias (CBVB). Findings show that contrary to expectations, increasing poverty was not associated with increases in the proportion...
Blog Post
Bruising in Children: Exploring the Attitudes, Knowledge and Training of Child Protection Social Workers and the Interface with Paediatricians regarding Childhood Bruising
Abstract While child protection social workers (CPSWs) make decisions about which children with an injury need a medical examination, we do not know how they make these decisions. We aimed to ascertain the knowledge, attitudes and training of CPSWs in regards to assessing childhood bruising. Paediatricians' views on the bruising knowledge and training of CPSWs were also explored, as well as the relationship and communication between the two professions. Semi‐structured, face‐to‐face...
Blog Post
Children living in households with complex needs
Children living in households with complex needs The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a report analysing the voices of children living in households with domestic abuse, parental substance misuse and parental mental health problems. The report presents findings from interviews with 15 children and young people aged 6 to 19 who were supported in three projects in London, Doncaster and Herefordshire. The interviews explored: how experiences at home affected their emotional...
Blog Post
Children's services cuts 'a false economy', Ofsted warns
Cuts to children's services budgets for family support and youth work represent a "false economy", simply leading to greater pressure on safeguarding provision, Ofsted has warned. The inspectorate's annual report noted that while the overall effectiveness of children's services provision is continuing to improve, the impact of ongoing financial restrictions risks jeopardising progress. Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said that local authority social care budgets have experienced the...
Blog Post
Children who are bullied frequently are four times more likely to suffer, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)
The ONS ‘Children’s Well-being 2015’ report reveals a number of findings that provide insight into mental health problems in children. A new measure of children’s mental ill-health is included in response to feedback from stakeholders who identified mental health as missing from the initial set of measures for children. It uses the total difficulties score from the child self-completion aspect of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey...
Blog Post
Children with special educational needs and disability
Children with special educational needs and disability The BBC reports that Judge Rowley has ruled in the Upper Tribunal that the exclusion from school of a 13-year-old boy due to behaviour linked to his autism was unlawful. The judge ruled that "aggressive behaviour is not a choice for children with autism” and that their behaviour in school "is a manifestation of the very condition which calls for special educational provision to be made for them". Source: BBC Date: 14 August 2018 Further...
Blog Post
Thousands of police trained to spot childhood trauma (bbc.co.uk)
How do you tackle the problem of young people falling into a life of crime? One of the approaches being adopted across the UK has been more awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In Wales, more than 5,000 front-line officers and police staff have been trained in responding to crimes involving children to enable them to recognise whether they may be experiencing ACEs. The programme, which has been backed by more than £6.5m of Home Office funding, is being used as a pilot which...
Blog Post
To Prevent Loneliness, Start in the Classroom [theatlantic.com]
Starting in September of 2020, schoolchildren across the United Kingdom will learn from their teachers how to fend off loneliness. In January, British Prime Minister Theresa May appointed the first “minister of loneliness.” This week, her administration released an 84-page plan detailing the actions it will take to curb loneliness across the country, including measures that will be enacted in schools. Starting in primary school, students will have mandatory lessons in “relationships...
Blog Post
Towards an ACE-Aware, trauma-responsive Ireland: Firkin Crane event Cork 08 April 2019
https://soundcloud.com/jane-mulcahy/firkin-crane-event-towards-an-ace-aware-trauma-responsive-ireland This event was an open discussion with survivors of childhood trauma and professionals working in the Early Years sector, education, health, addiction and homeless services about the desirability of raising public and political awareness of the prevalence and impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Ireland and the need for a collaborative cross sector trauma-responsive approach for...
Blog Post
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has published a report looking at the Home Office’s handling of unaccompanied asylum seeking children and how it ensured the best interest of the child were considered throughout the asylum process. The report covers the reception and intake of unaccompanied asylum seeking children; age dispute and age assessment; the National Transfer Scheme, and decision making. The report is published in...
Blog Post
Young people being encouraged to get comfortable talking about domestic abuse
Young people are being encouraged to get comfortable talking about domestic abuse as Greater Manchester’s ground-breaking awareness campaign tours schools and youth centres across the city-region. The ‘Sitting Right With You’ campaign was first launched in October 2016 and features imagery of a yellow sofa accompanied by challenging messages to get people thinking differently about what domestic abuse is and encouraging victims to take that first step and ask for help. Now, the campaign –...
Blog Post
Young people who engage in child sexual exploitation behaviours: an exploratory study.
Young people who engage in child sexual exploitation behaviours: an exploratory study. Authors: Simon Hackett and Stephen Smith Format: Online report Summary: Looks at young people who engage in sexually exploitative behaviours. Findings from a study of 14 official case records include: experiences of adversity were found in the developmental histories of 10 of the 14 young people, with domestic violence the most commonly reported factor; 12 of the young people had long-standing non-sexual...
Blog Post
Comparison of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and suicide in children and young people in care and non-care populations: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence
Abstract Suicide in children and young people is a major public health concern. However, it is unknown whether individuals who have been in the care of the child welfare system are at an elevated risk. Care is presently defined as statutory provision of in-home care (e.g. child living with birth family but in receipt of legal order involving supervision by social workers) or out-of-home care (e.g. foster care , residential care and kinship care). This paper presents a systematic review and...
Blog Post
Comparison of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and suicide in children and young people in care and non-care populations: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence☆
Highlights •Global problem of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and suicide among young people •Unknown if young people in care are at an elevated risk. •Systematic review comparing prevalence between care and non-care populations •Suicide attempt is more than three times as likely among those in care. •Further comparative studies are required. Abstract Suicide in children and young people is a major public health concern. However, it is unknown whether individuals who have been in the care...
Blog Post
Could yoga save prisoners from a life of crime?
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/11/yoga-prisons-crime-cut-reoffending The 46-year-old charity worker has been clean of drugs for seven years after breaking his two-decade cycle of addiction, reoffending and imprisonment. He now has a full-time job with the Karuna Trust , a charity working in India and Nepal, and he’s been out of prison for more than five years. He puts this down to the self-control he gained during his daily sessions of yoga and meditation while “inside”. “One...
Blog Post
Cut off from Justice: The impact of excluding separated and migrant children from legal aid
All children and young people in the UK should be kept safe and have equal access to justice, regardless of where they were born. However, sweeping changes made to legal aid provision for immigration cases have put some of the most vulnerable children in this country at serious risk and unable to get the help they need. This report, written in partnership with Dr Helen Connolly, University of Bedfordshire, highlights the needs of unaccompanied and separated children in a system that often...
Blog Post
Data collected for the 2017/18 Youth homelessness databank
This report centres on findings from Centrepoint’s analysis of data collected for the 2017/18 Youth homelessness databank . The databank collects local data from across the UK on the scale of youth homelessness. It also provides an insight into the type of interactions young people are having with their local councils and what support is being offered. The research estimates 103,000 young people asked for help from their local council in 2017/18 because they were homeless or at risk of...
Blog Post
Disparate reports of stress and family relations between youth who commit sexual crimes and their caregivers.
Authors: Jamie R. Yoder, Rebecca Dillard and Larraine Stehlik Format: Article Summary: Explores the perspectives of young people with sexually inappropriate behaviours and their caregivers regarding family relationships and stress. Looks at the effects of parent and youth stress and protective parenting approaches as they correlate with family relationships. Uses the survey results of 46 young people aged 10-17 referred to child protective services and their caregivers. Finds that young...
Blog Post
Domestic and sexual violence and abuse action plan – Northern Ireland
Domestic and sexual violence and abuse action plan – Northern Ireland The Department of Health and Department of Justice in Northern Ireland have published their 2018/2019 action plan under the Stopping domestic and sexual violence and abuse strategy. This third action plan identifies new initiatives including: considering how relationships and sexuality education resources can support teachers in addressing domestic and sexual violence and abuse; and linking with the work of the...
Blog Post
Early childhood intervention approaches to mental health and substance misuse challenges
Early childhood intervention approaches to mental health and substance misuse challenges - sharing a pair of research and evidence briefings to guide practice for ACEs informed early intervention
Blog Post
"Give me some space": exploring youth to parent aggression and violence.
"Give me some space": exploring youth to parent aggression and violence. Authors: Lynne Gabriel, Zahra Tizro, Hazel James, Jane Cronin-Davis, Tanya Beetham, Alice Corbally, Emily Lopez-Moreno and Sarah Hill Format: Article Summary: Research project undertaken by Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) looking at youth aggression and violence against parents. Data was generated through conversations with young people, semi structured interviews with mothers, interviews and a focus group...
Blog Post
Good intentions but the right approach? The case of ACEs
There are of course lots of examples of fine work going on around ACEs, but there are also aspects of the ACE movement that make me feel a little uncomfortable. I worry that what is clearly a well-intentioned desire to just do something might not do good and could cause harm. My concerns are absolutely not meant as a criticism of the motivation and altruism underlying the ACEs movement, but as a cautionary nudge to make sure that, in our enthusiasm to do good, we don’t run before we can walk.
Blog Post
Greater Manchester plan to give thousands of children and young people the best start in life
A new plan was launched at the Greater Manchester Health and Care Board which will help hundreds of thousands of children and young people in Greater Manchester to get better health and care to improve their development and fulfil their potential. The four-year plan maps out how agencies in the region will work closer together to make sure local services offered from before birth through to adulthood, will give every child across Greater Manchester the best possible start in life. The...
Blog Post
Health inequalities for people with learning disabilities, including children and young people
The Institute of Health Equity at University College London has summarised research into the health inequalities for people with learning disabilities, including children and young people . Findings include: compared with the general population, children with learning disabilities are more likely to be bullied; children and young people with learning disabilities are more likely to live in poverty, have worse mental health and display more risky health behaviours; girls with learning...
Blog Post
Hidden Sentence Training by POPS (Manchester UK)
The imprisonment of a family member can have significant and long-lasting emotional and practical consequences for those who remain on the outside. Stigma and isolation often ensures these families remain hidden from statutory services, and withdrawn from community support, increasing their vulnerability. Increasing awareness is vital to ensuring these families receive the support they need to overcome the potential impact on their mental health, financial stability and social wellbeing.
Blog Post
How many children experience the death of their mother UK 🇬🇧
Finally it seems we are starting to map key events in lives experiences. The death of a parent can have a profound impact on children which may be felt throughout their life. However, there are currently no official estimates of the number of children who are affected by bereavement. Nick Stripe explains how ONS is starting to fill the evidence gap. In new statistics published today we have estimated the proportion of children born between the years 1971-2000 who experienced the death of...
Blog Post
How many children experience trauma and PTSD UK 🇬🇧
This article intrigued me, is this purely PTSD or did it included identifying CPTSD or developmental trauma?... MRC-funded research from King’s College London suggests one in 13 young people in the UK have had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before reaching age 18. The first UK-based study of its kind, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, found 31% of young people had a traumatic experience during childhood, and those who were exposed to trauma were twice as likely as their peers to...
Blog Post
Major conference to tackle childhood trauma [thirdforcenews.org.uk]
Experts from the world of child mental health are coming to Scotland to find solutions to help overcome the impact of childhood trauma. Children’s charity Kibble is hosting the European Federation of Conflict Management in Education and Care (EFeCT) conference in May in Glasgow. The event focuses on research and best practise in trauma informed care for young people. [For more on this story by Susan Smith, go to http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/tfn-news/major-conference-to-tackle-childhood-trauma ]
Blog Post
Making Connections Understanding how local agencies can better keep missing children safe
The Childrens Society Report attached...
Blog Post
Mental health service launched to help people affected by the Manchester bombing
A dedicated mental health service has been set up to help people affected by the 22 May 2017 terror attack on Manchester Arena. The Manchester Resilience Hub run by the NHS will support anyone who may be struggling with their mental or emotional wellbeing following the traumatic events in which 22 people died and many more injured. From helping the very young who may have been directly affected by the incident, to family members and emergency professionals involved in the response to the...
Blog Post
Mindfulness and Meditation to Become Part of the Curriculum in 370 Schools in England (brightvibes.com)
In 370 schools across England, children will be taught how to meditate, techniques for muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises for mindfulness. The program is being conducted under a mental health study that the British government is running up until 2021. Aside from the increasing number of young children that are showing signs of early onset depression and anxiety , National Health Service (NHS) reports have also indicated that 1-in-8 British children have mental disorders. Despite...
Blog Post
More Evidence that Green Space Helps Develop Young Brains (psmag.com)
Several recent studies have found children tend to fare better academically if they have ample access to the natural world. But the reasons for this remains hazy. Do they get more exercise? Breathe cleaner air? New British research reveals one likely advantage such kids enjoy. It finds they score higher on a standard test of Spatial Working Memory —the ability to retain visual information long enough to process it and make use of it to solve problems. For a child, this may mean developing an...
Blog Post
MRC-funded research reveals extent of trauma and PTSD in young people [cambridgenetwork.co.uk]
The first UK-based study of its kind, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, found 31% of young people had a traumatic experience during childhood, and those who were exposed to trauma were twice as likely as their peers to have a range of mental health disorders. Relatively little is known about the extent of trauma and its effects on mental health in young people. The researchers looked at participants in the E-Risk Study , funded by the MRC, which includes 2,232 children born in England and...
Blog Post
National Statistics HBAI, 1994/95 to 2016/17: children data tables Children income data tables produced as part of the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) report: 1994/95 to 2016/17 (Gov.uk)
Details The HBAI report presents information on living standards in the United Kingdom year-on-year from 1994/1995 to 2016/2017. These data tables provide greater detail about the income of children, especially those in families with low income. They include the following information. Overall trends How many and what percentage of children are in low income households, and is this proportion rising or falling over time? Detailed breakdowns What percentages of children in low income live in...
Blog Post
Nauru refugees: The island where children have given up on life
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-45327058 Suicide attempts and horrifying acts of self-harm are drawing fresh attention to the suffering of refugee children on Nauru, in what is being described as a "mental health crisis". The tiny island nation, site of Australia's controversial offshore processing centre, has long been plagued with allegations of human rights abuses. But a series of damning media reports recently has also highlighted a rapidly deteriorating situation for young people.
Blog Post
Neglected Children End Up With 'Smaller Brains' [bbc.com]
By James Gallagher, British Broadcasting Corporation, January 7, 2020 An early life full of neglect, deprivation and adversity leads to people growing up with smaller brains, a study suggests. The researchers at King's College London were following adopted children who spent time in "hellhole" Romanian orphanages. They grew up with brains 8.6% smaller than other adoptees. [ Please click here to read more .]
Blog Post
NHS Highland (Scotland) report on ACEs science (including resilience) and practice
In the new report, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, and Trauma-Informed Care: A Public Health Approach to Understanding and Responding to Adversity , Professor Hugo van Warden, t he director of public health for NHS Highland (Scotland), writes: "This report deals with ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences’ and chronic exposure to ‘toxic stress’. A key message in this report is that such experiences increase the risk of later development of poor mental health, adverse behavioural...
Blog Post
One in four girls is depressed at age 14, new study reveals
New research shows a quarter of girls (24%) and one in 10 boys (9%) are depressed at age 14. Researchers from the UCL Institute of Education and the University of Liverpool analysed information on more than 10,000 children born in 2000-01 who are taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study . At ages 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14, parents reported on their children’s mental health. Then, when they reached 14, the children were themselves asked questions about their depressive symptoms. Based on the...
Blog Post
Physical activity and wellbeing strategies for young prisoners
Physical activity and wellbeing strategies for young prisoners The Ministry of Justice has published an independent review of sport and physical education in the justice system, which was carried out by Professor Rosie Meek in partnership with the National Alliance of Sport and Clinks, a charity supporting the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system. Recommendations include: every prison, young offender institution, secure training centre and secure children’s home should...
Blog Post
Police Need ACE Training to Better Understand Impact of Childhood Violence, Study Says [cypnow.co.uk]
Written by Nina Jacobs, Friday, May 1 2020 - Police officers should be trained in understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on young people in order to tackle an increase in child to parent violence, new research suggests. The study was commissioned by Northumbria Police. A report commissioned by Northumbria Police, Policing Childhood Challenging Violent or Aggressive Behaviour: responding to vulnerable families , makes the recommendation as part of a wider strategy to...
Blog Post
Prince William visits LGBTQ charity, says he would support any of his children if they identified as gay (msn.com)
During a visit today to akt (Albert Kennedy Trust), a charity that helps young and homeless LBGTQ people, Prince William said it would be “absolutely fine” with him one of his children identified as LGBTQ. The Duke of Cambridge — who is father to Prince George , 5, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, one — spoke when he officially opened akt’s new services center in Hoxton, east London, which began with a group chat with several young people who are currently being supported by the...
Blog Post
Research report March 2018 International comparisons of health and wellbeing in early childhood
About the report This report presents data on health and wellbeing for early childhood in the UK and 14 comparable countries, recognising the particular influence that a child’s development in this period can have on his or her future health and quality of life. We consider the benefits and challenges of comparing child health indicators between countries, to inform local and national policy and practice that improves the health of children and families in this country. The findings show...
Blog Post
SafeLives statistics show the effects of domestic abuse on young people
Sadly, domestic abuse and violence are a part of many people’s lives. In a large number of these cases those affected are under 18. However, many people are not aware of this, and do not know how far-reaching the effects can be. SafeLives is a national charity with the goal of preventing – and eventually ending – domestic abuse. Since 2005, it has been providing many people with the help and support they need to escape abusive relationships. Recent research it conducted into this area, and...
Blog Post
Scotland's parents need 'oxygen' [holyrood.com]
While probably not in your diary, the second of October 2017 is the fifth anniversary of the Scottish Government’s National Parenting Strategy. Other initiatives and events took precedence during this extraordinary period in Scotland’s history. But, when launched, the Strategywas not a trivial, ‘off the cuff’ public policy. After an extensive consultation process, the Scottish Government proposed dozens of actions under the rubric ‘Our commitment to Scotland’s parents’. A year later, NHS...