News
Early years education and childcare announcements
The Government has made a series of announcements regarding early education and childcare. This includes a response to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) consultation where the majority of the proposals are being taken forward, an independent evaluation of the 2021 EYFS reforms on early education, and an updated eligibility checker on childcare choices
Children’s social care placements costs increase
We have warned of the spiralling costs of providing support for children with the most complex needs. Our survey of councils revealed the number of placements costing more than £10,000 per week has risen from 120 in 2018 to more than 1,500 in the past year, while the proportion of councils taking out at least one of these has increased from 23 per cent to 91 per cent over the same period.
Wraparound childcare announcements
The Government has released the LA Programme Handbook for wraparound provision. The Department for Education plans to publish separate guidance for schools and other providers of wraparound childcare in early 2024, which will include practical guidance to support those who wish to deliver wraparound childcare provision. Also released are local authority funding allocations and a blog on the Education Hub highlighting what is being introduced.
Early help – Joint Targeted Area Inspections (JTAIs)
Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services have published a report based on five joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs) on the multi-agency response to children and families who need help. The report found significant variation and noted that a lack of capacity and resources across agencies was limiting local areas’ ability to make early help services a clear priority. The report includes a range of implications for policy and practice.
Access to early education and childcare for refugee and asylum seeking children and families
Unicef UK and Refugee Education UK have published a report looking at the challenges facing refugee and asylum seeking children and families in accessing early education and childcare. The report highlights the complexity of the system but with some positive practice.
Supporting children affected by long term trauma, war and conflict
The UK Trauma Council and Anna Freud Centre have launched a short, animated film entitled Childhood trauma, war and conflict to support young people (aged 12-21) affected by long-term trauma after war and conflict. The film, available in multiple languages, uses storytelling to help inform young people about common physical and emotional responses to trauma and is accompanied by a short, written resource.
Statistics: Children looked after (CLA) in England including adoptions
The Department for Education has published statistics on CLA in England for the year ending 31 March 2023. The number of CLA is at an all-time high of 83,840 with much of the increase driven by a large increase in unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Almost one third (30 per cent) of 18-year-old care leavers are former UASC.
Children’s mental health statistics
New statistics were published by NHS Digital on the prevalence of mental health needs in children and young people. The Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023 report found that one in five children and young people (20.3 percent of 8 to 16-year-olds) had a probable mental disorder in 2023. Among 17 to 19-year-olds, the proportion was 23.3 per cent, while in 20 to 25-year-olds it was 21.7 per cent.
Youth custodial settings
Two reports by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons highlight the worsening situation facing children in custodial settings. The reports highlight high levels of violence, lack of supportive and meaningful interventions and high levels of self harm.
Youth Endowment Fund report into young people’s experiences of violence
Youth Endowment Fund have released a report which surveyed over 7,500 young people and 3,000 adults across England and Wales to understand and compare their experiences and beliefs. They found that 16 per cent of children responding had been victims of violence in the past 12 months, nearly 50 per cent said that violence and fear of violence impacted their day to day lives.
NHS Providers: Reducing health inequalities faced by children and young people
NHS Providers have released a report which recommends that NHS trusts should consider making targeted interventions to tackle child health inequalities which are being exacerbated by current pressures on the system. The report said the focus on reducing health inequalities in the NHS—both in research and clinical delivery—has largely been targeted at older age groups. It urged trusts to shift their attention to children and young people, given the evidence of growing health inequalities in this age group.
Creating a smokefree future and tackling youth vaping
The Government is asking for members of the public, medical experts, councils and researchers to respond to their smokefree future and youth vaping consultation which closes on Wednesday 6 December. The consultation looks at proposals for a smokefree generation, tackling youth vaping, enforcement, and potential new powers for councils to issue fixed penalty notices to enforce age of sale legislation of tobacco products and vapes. The LGA has called for a ban on disposable vapes by 2024 and has published FAQs on the topic.
Breastfeeding statistics at 6-8 weeks after birth: 2022-2023
New statistics have been published by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities on the number and proportion of infants who have been fully, partially or not at all breastfed at six to eight weeks after birth. The annual data (at local authority level) is for April 2022 to March 2023. Breastfeeding prevalence at six to eight weeks remained stable at 49.2 per cent in 2022 to 2023.
New statistics: Child development outcomes at 2 to 2.5 years, 2022-2023
New statistics have been published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities on outcomes for children at two to two and a half years as measured by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3 (ASQ-3). The annual data (at local authority level) is for April 2022 to March 2023. The proportion of children aged 2-2.5 years at or above the expected level of development in all 5 domains of development (‘good level of development’) decreased in 2022-2023: 79.3 per cent compared with 81.1 per cent in 2021-2022.
Call for case studies: Supporting children’s healthy weight
We're exploring council initiatives across England, focusing on how councils are working with partners to support children’s healthy weight. For example, is your council doing something innovative around the National Child Measurement Programme or with your leisure provider? Have you recently refreshed or developed a whole systems approach locally? We would love to hear from you. Please email emily.hackett@local.gov.uk with more information by Monday 11 December 2023.
Call for case studies: Shining a light on health visiting services
We are seeking insights from councils and commissioned services into health visiting practice. We would like to shine a light on valuable insights across the breadth of support health visitors provide, for example, targeted early intervention, breastfeeding, specialist perinatal mental health support and assessing children’s growth and development needs. Please email emily.hackett@local.gov.uk if you are interested in sharing key local insights by Monday 11 December 2023.
Consultation: Advocacy services
The Department for Education is currently consulting on revised national standards and statutory guidance for advocacy services for children and young people. The consultation closes on Monday 18 December. If you have any questions please email:
Advocacystandardsandguidance.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk
Preventing children and young people from becoming involved in violence – Youth Endowment Fund
Wednesday 13 December | 10.30am-12.00pm | Online
This webinar will explore what works to support children, young people, and families. It will give an overview of the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) toolkit with a deep dive into programmes which may include sports interventions, mentoring and A&E navigators. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to the YEF team and a local authority who has been working on one of the YEF funded programmes.
first magazine
|
