The government announced an external review of child and adolescent mental health services (chaired by Jo Davidson), designed to ensure that the educational and emotional needs of children and young people with mental health problems, or at risk of developing them, were being met.
Source: Press release 12 December 2007, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0870 000 2288) and Department of Health
Links: DCSF press release | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Dec
A paper (by the children's rights commissioner for England) examined what needed to be done to ensure that all children and young people were supported to attain their full potential in life, by the delivery of effective, evidence-based, and needs-led health services.
Source: Albert Aynsley-Green, Reflections on Children, Child Health and Society, Nuffield Trust (020 631 8450)
Links: Paper
Date: 2007-Dec
An article said that the recent establishment of two national, longitudinal studies of contemporary birth cohorts in the United Kingdom and United States of America created a valuable opportunity for cross-national research on the experiences of young children and their families. It described these new datasets, and highlighted the potential advantages and challenges of their combined use.
Source: Danielle Crosby and Denise Hawkes, 'Cross-national research using contemporary birth cohort studies: a look at early maternal employment in the UK and USA', International Journal of Social Research Methodology, Volume 10 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Dec
An article reported a study which found that a 'large majority' of children aged 11 were insufficiently active, according to existing recommended levels for health.
Source: Chris Riddoch et al., 'Objective measurement of levels and patterns of physical activity', Archives of Disease in Childhood, Volume 92 Number 11
Links: Abstract | Bristol University press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Nov
A report highlighted the long-term benefits of comprehensively meeting the mental health needs of children and young people, both to the individuals and families concerned and to public services and the economy as a whole over that individual's lifetime.
Source: Maintaining the Momentum: Towards excellent services for children and young people's mental health, NHS Confederation (020 7959 7272)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Nov
A think-tank report examined the everyday experiences of children in public. A 'paradigm shift' was needed in the way people thought about the built environment – towards one which addressed the deepening segregation between generations. The needs of the young were not opposed to those of other users of public spaces, but closely aligned with them.
Source: Joost Beunderman, Celia Hannon and Peter Bradwell, Seen and Heard: Reclaiming the public realm with children and young people, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report | Summary | Demos press release | Speech | Play England press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Nov
A government-commissioned report said that nearly all children in England were happy, healthy, and cared for by their families – in spite of reports to the contrary, Children were enjoying their childhood, were increasingly well-educated, and most were 'engaged, motivated and making a positive contribution'. The review examined more than 100 research studies into the lives of children and young people in England, and was designed to provide the evidence basis for the government's 10-year 'children's plan', due to be published in December 2007.
Source: Children and Young People Today: Evidence to support the development of the Children's Plan, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | DCSF press release | NCH press release | Guardian report | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Nov
A survey for the inspectorate for education and children's services found that young people were overwhelmingly healthy, sporting, community-minded, and conscientious about school. But nearly half of all children in England aged 10-15 had tried alcohol; 1 in 7 had tried illegal drugs; around one-third of said they had been bullied; and one-half said that their greatest worry was exams.
Source: Press release 16 November 2007, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833)
Links: OFSTED press release | NUT press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined research on racist bullying of children, paying particular attention to evidence from largely white communities and specifically from Wales. There were significant gaps in knowledge, and some tensions between qualitative and quantitative evidence. There was a clear view among relevant professionals that policy with regard to racist bullying was fairly robust at a national level in Wales: but practice in schools was patchy and often quite inadequate.
Source: Jonathan Scourfield and Anita Pilgrim, 'Racist bullying as it affects children in Wales: a scoping study', Contemporary Wales, Volume 20 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
A report called for a mandatory speed limit of 20 miles per hour in residential areas, which it said could help to cut road accident fatalities by two-thirds.
Source: Emily Crawford, Beyond 2010: A holistic approach to road safety in Great Britain, Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (020 7222 7732)
Links: Report | Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Oct
A report set out baseline levels of engagement among children aged 11-15 in cultural, leisure, and sporting activities. Virtually all children had engaged in at least one form of activity during the previous 12 months. Of those, 94 per cent had both engaged in a cultural activity and participated in a sports activity.
Source: Taking Part: The national survey of culture, leisure and sport – Headline findings from the child survey, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Oct
A new book examined how risk aversion restricted children's play, limited their freedom of movement, corroded their relationships with adults, and constrained their exploration of physical, social, and virtual worlds. It looked at children's playgrounds, parental attitudes, childcare, and issues around children's independent mobility and the fear of strangers; and it offered insights into the roles of parents, teachers, carers, the media, safety agencies, and the government.
Source: Tim Gill, No Fear: Growing up in a risk-averse society, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (020 7908 7604)
Links: Text of book | Summary | Volunteering England press release | BBC report | Observer report
Date: 2007-Oct
The government announced (following a review) that it would not introduce a legal ban on smacking children.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 25 October 2007, column 13WS, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Review of Section 58 of the Children Act 2004, Cm 7232, Department for Children, Schools and Families, TSO
Links: Hansard | Report | CRAE press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Oct
An annual survey of the take-up of school meals in England in 2007 found that in primary schools take-up had fallen on average by 1 per cent since the previous year, and that in secondary schools it had fallen by 5 per cent.
Source: Jo Nicholas, Lesley Wood and Michael Nelson, Second Annual Survey of Take-up of School Meals in England, School Food Trust (0844 800 9048)
Links: Report | SFT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Sep
Researchers examined the impact of the school fruit and vegetable scheme following its implementation in 2004. There was a general increase in fruit and vegetable consumption observed across all cohorts.
Source: Sarah Blenkinsop et al., The Further Evaluation of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | NFER summary
Date: 2007-Sep
An annual report reviewed progress towards the 2010 targets for reducing road casualties in Great Britain. In 2006 the number of children killed on the roads was 35 per cent below the 1994-98 baseline, compared to a target 50 per cent reduction by 2010.
Source: Road Casualties Great Britain 2006: Annual Report, Department for Transport (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report | DT press release | RAC Foundation press release
Date: 2007-Sep
A report said that there were 'significant gaps and inconsistencies' in child protection standards for trafficked children in the United Kingdom compared to international standards.
Source: Rights Here, Rights Now: Recommendations for protecting trafficked children, UNICEF UK (020 7405 5592) and ECPAT UK
Links: Report | UNICEF press release | ECPAT press release | Guardian report | Community Care report | Children Now report
Date: 2007-Sep
The High Court ruled that it was lawful for doctors to treat a child, despite the parents' lack of consent, as treatment was in her best long-term interests if she survived. Treatment in the case concerned would give a 50 per cent chance of a normal life, but at the cost of considerable pain and suffering which the parents wished to avoid.
Source: The NHS Trust v A (a child) and others, High Court 18 July 2007
Links: Text of judgement
Date: 2007-Sep
A report said that there needed to be a fundamental change to the way in which children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) were delivered, so that they became more accessible and responsive. The statutory sector needed to adopt the person-centred approach commonly used by the voluntary sector.
Source: Ines Garcia, Christina Vasiliou and Kim Penketh, Listen Up! Person-centred approaches to help young people experiencing mental health and emotional problems, Mental Health Foundation (020 7803 1100)
Links: Report | MHF press release | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Sep
Researchers evaluated pilot home zones in Scotland. They highlighted the potential benefits of children?s involvement in the process of home zone design: the creation of safer places for outdoor play (formal and informal) could be an important factor in identifying potential locations for home zones, and informing the process by which projects were designed and implemented.
Source: Land Use Consultants, Home Zones in Scotland: Evaluation report, Scottish Executive (web publication only)
Date: 2007-Aug
A report (by an official advisory body) said that poorly designed road and housing developments were preventing children from enjoying their local parks and neighbourhoods – by exposing them to excessive noise levels, increased pollution, and safety fears.
Source: Every Child's Future Matters, Sustainable Development Commission (020 7944 4964)
Links: Report | SDC press release
Date: 2007-Aug
A paper examined commercial pressures on children, and the implications for public policy in terms of children?s freedom, the rights of children, and the protection of children.
Source: David Piachaud, Freedom to be a Child: Commercial pressures on children, CASEpaper 127, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Paper
Date: 2007-Aug
A report said that collaboration between Sure Start local programmes and social services departments over the safeguarding of children posed challenges for many local authorities: these reflected longstanding tensions between services designed to support families and those designed to protect children.
Source: Jane Tunstill and Debra Allnock, Understanding the Contribution of Sure Start Local Programmes to the Task of Safeguarding Children?s Welfare, Research Report NESS/2007/FR/026, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Brief | Children Now report
Date: 2007-Jul
An article reported a systematic review designed to assess the adequacy of measures evaluating generic health-related quality-of-life outcomes in children less than 5 years old. There was a need to develop empirically robust and conceptually comprehensive health-related quality-of-life measures.
Source: Angela Grange, Hilary Bekker, Jane Noyes and Pauline Langley, 'Adequacy of health-related quality of life measures in children under 5 years old: systematic review', Journal of Advanced Nursing, Volume 59 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
A report said that children aged 9-13 who spent a lot of time in front of a television or computer screen were more materialistic, argued more with their family, and had both a lower opinion of their parents and also lower self-esteem. Children in poorer areas were twice as likely to have televisions in their rooms as those in affluent areas.
Source: Agnes Nairn, Jo Ormrod and Paul Bottomley, Watching, Wanting and Wellbeing: Exploring the links – A study of 9 to 13-year-olds, National Consumer Council (020 7730 3469)
Links: Report | NCC press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jul
A report said that laws designed to protect children from sexual exploitation were failing. The three new offences to target sexual exploitation introduced in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 had not succeeded in bringing more perpetrators to justice.
Source: Forgotten and Failed, Barnardo?s (01268 520224)
Links: Report | Barnardo's press release | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jul
An article said that child workers generally remained 'invisible' as far as central government was concerned, apart from periodic shows of activity. More policy-orientated research was required to help local authorities discover 'best practice' for ensuring the welfare of this group of young workers.
Source: Sandy Hobbs, 'Making child employment in Britain more visible', Critical Social Policy, Volume 27 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
Three linked reports examined attitudes towards street play by children and young people, and the benefits it brought. It also investigated the barriers children and young people faced, and outlined what should be done to compensate for the decline of street play in recent years.
Source: Lauren Lacey, Street Play: A literature review, Play England (020 7843 6016) | ICM Research, Attitudes Towards Street Play, Play England | Amanda Henshall and Lauren Lacey, Word on the Street: Children and young people?s views on using local streets for play and informal recreation, Play England
Links: Report 1 | Report 2 | Report 3 | Play England press release | Observer report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jul
The government began consultation on proposals for improving the safety of children and young people. Parents needed to identify real dangers without preventing children from 'exploring': but children from low-income families were much more likely to be hurt in accidents than wealthier counterparts.
Source: Staying Safe, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Consultation document | Summary | DCSF press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jul
The government announced a package of measures aimed at improving children's well-being, including funding of £396 million to continue the Children's Fund for a further three years beyond March 2008, supporting projects that specialized in early intervention and prevention. It also announced that a consultation would take place later in 2007, designed to bring together all aspects of policy affecting children and young people into a new 'Children's Plan'.
Source: Speech by Ed Balls MP (Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families), 18 July 2007
Links: Text of speech | DCSF press release | ECM press release | Barnardos press release | EDCM press release | Play England press release | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jul
The government began a consultation designed to review measures in the Children Act 2004 which removed the defence of 'reasonable punishment' in cases involving offences such as actual bodily harm and child cruelty, while stopping short of banning all smacking by parents.
Source: Section 58 of Children Act 2004 Review (Consultation), Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Consultation document | OCC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jun
A report made recommendations designed to improve the lives of children and young people in Wales. These included the creation of a Welsh Assembly Government committee for children and young people, and strengthening the role of the Minister for Children.
Source: A Wales Fit for Children and Young People, Children in Wales (029 2034 2434)
Links: Report | CIW press release
Date: 2007-Jun
Campaigners launched a 'Charter for Childhood', containing a series of proposals designed to protect children from advertising, and provide opportunities for all children to participate in outdoor play.
Source: Charter for Childhood, Compass (020 7463 0633)
Links: Charter
Date: 2007-Jun
A study found that the number of young people aged 16 who said they had no best friend they could confide in had risen from around 1 in 8 twenty years previously to almost 1 in 5. The study compared the experiences and views of teenagers in 1986 and 2006. A linked study found that many parents were denying their children the same freedom to go out unsupervised as they themselves had enjoyed, because of fears for youngsters' safety.
Source: The Good Childhood: A National Inquiry - Evidence Summary One: Friends, Children?s Society (020 7841 4415)
Links: IOSH press release | RoSPA press release | ACCT press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jun
The government set out proposals (following consultation) for improved arrangements for the protection of children from sex offenders. Key points included: a new process would be piloted allowing parents and guardians to request details of possible sex offenders; police and probation services would be required to consider in each case whether a child sex offender's conviction should be disclosed to protect children; and drug treatment would be used to reduce sexual drive in some offenders.
Source: Review of the Protection of Children from Sex Offenders, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Report | Hansard | Home Office press release | OCC press release | Barnardos press release | NCH press release | Nacro press release | NAPO press release | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jun
An official report examined the extent of child trafficking into the United Kingdom, and made recommendations on developing further protection for children. The police should assess all missing children's cases for signs that the child had been trafficked.
Source: Aarti Kapoor, A Scoping Project on Child Trafficking in the UK, Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (0870 000 3344)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Jun
The first annual report was published by a government agency set up to tackle child abuse, including child sex abuse and child trafficking.
Source: Annual Review 2006-07, Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (0870 000 3344)
Links: Annual report | Strategy report | CEOP press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jun
The early findings of research suggested that there had been a 100 per cent increase in the prevalence of emotional problems and conduct disorders among young people since the 1930s, and that 1 in 10 children had a mental health disorder to a 'clinically significant' level. Emotional well-being in childhood became 4.5 times more important as a factor determining social mobility for people born in 1970 compared to those born in 1958. A linked literature review examined the definition of resilience, what research revealed about the nature of resilience, and the implications for the provision of services to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Source: Julia Margo and Sonia Sodha, Emotional Wellbeing and Social Mobility: A new urgency to the debate, NCH (020 7704 7000) | Literature Review: Resilience in Children and Young People, NCH
Links: Briefing | Literature review | NCH press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jun
The number of people killed in road accidents in Great Britain fell by 1 per cent in 2006, from 3,201 in 2005 to 3,172. The number of children killed or seriously injured in 2006 was 3,294 (down 5 per cent on 2005).
Source: Road Casualties in Great Britain Main Results: 2006, Transport Statistics Bulletin 07/18, Department for Transport (020 7944 3098)
Links: Bulletin | DT press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined developments in policy and practice affecting children in Wales since the establishment of the National Assembly in 1999. Despite signs of improvement, on some key indicators Welsh children lagged behind their peers in the rest of the United Kingdom; and there was a serious need for better information in the form of a 'state of Wales's children' report. Distinctive policies were being developed in Wales that in important respects put children at the heart of policy-making; and the 'participation agenda' promised real change.
Source: Nigel Thomas and Anne Crowley, 'Children's rights and well-being in Wales in 2006', Contemporary Wales, Volume 19 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
Researchers (drawing on the Millennium Cohort Study) found that almost 1 child in 4 was either overweight or obese at age 3.
Source: Kirstine Hansen and Heather Joshi (eds.), Millennium Cohort Study Second Survey: A User?s Guide to Initial Findings, Centre for Longitudinal Studies/University of London (020 7612 6875)
Links: Report | CLS Briefings | CLS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Jun
A new book provided a critical analysis of ways in which risk assessment and management were defined and applied in policy, theory, and practice in relation to children and young people.
Source: Betsy Thom, Rosemary Sales and Jenny Pearce (eds.), Growing Up with Risk, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-May
The Court of Appeal ruled that local authorities did not owe a duty of care to a parent of a child when exercising, through social workers, its duties to protect children from their parents, for example by placing them on the child protection register as being at risk. The local authority?s principal duty was to the child in need of protection, and there were powerful public policy reasons for not having a duty of care to the parents. There was no reason to treat social workers in this context any differently from policemen or doctors who were not subject to such a duty of care.
Source: Stephanie Lawrence v Pembrokeshire County Council, Court of Appeal 15 May 2007
Links: Text of judgement | Times report
Date: 2007-May
A report presented findings from the 2005 Families and Children Study (FACS). In 2005 a quarter of families with children were lone-parent families: these families were almost four times as likely as couple families to belong to the lowest income quintile before housing costs. 1 in 10 of all mothers described their health over the previous 12 months as 'not good'. 4 out of 5 families had at least one parent working 16 or more hours per week. Just over three-quarters of families received either a benefit or a tax credit, excluding child benefit. 7 out of 10 families either owned their property outright or were buying it with a mortgage.
Source: Lorenc Hoxhallari, Anne Conolly and Nick Lyon, Families with Children in Britain: Findings from the 2005 Families and Children Study (FACS), Research Report 424, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Date: 2007-May
The children's watchdog for England launched a new five-year plan for improving the lives of England?s 11 million children and young people. It identified six fundamental areas of concern: youth justice and anti-social behaviour; asylum and trafficking; a 'fair life'; mental health; enjoying education and leisure; and 'staying safe'.
Source: Five-year Plan: April 2007 ? March 2012, Office of the Children?s Commissioner (0844 8009113)
Links: Plan | OCC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-May
A report made recommendations designed to restrict exposure by children to tobacco smoke, in order to cut the incidence of tobacco-related ill-health and deaths.
Source: Breaking the Cycle of Children?s Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, British Medical Association (020 7387 4499)
Links: Report | BMA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Apr
The inspectorate for education and children's services said that in the previous five years the quality of personal, social and health education (PSHE) programmes in schools had improved steadily. But PSHE was taught by non-specialists in some schools, and too much of this teaching was unsatisfactory.
Source: Time for Change? Personal, social and health education, HMI 070049, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833)
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | DEF press release | BHA press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Apr
The government published an action plan designed to improve support for victims of sexual violence (including child sexual abuse), through better support facilities and an improved response from the justice system to such crimes.
Source: Cross Government Action Plan on Sexual Violence and Abuse, Home Office (0870 000 1585) and others
Links: Action Plan | Home Office press release | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Apr
Campaigners examined the impact of the government's alcohol harm-reduction strategy. The amount of alcohol consumed by girls aged between 11 and 13 had increased by 82.6 per cent between 2000 and 2006, and for boys by 43.4 per cent. Parents who gave alcohol to children aged under 15 should be prosecuted.
Source: Glass Half Empty?, Alcohol Concern (020 7928 7377)
Links: Summary | Alcohol Concern press release | BMA press release | Portman Group press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Apr
An article highlighted problems with idea that services could be provided for young children within their families in a seamless way that served the interests of children and families simultaneously. It said that extended childcare services should be clearly targeted to the needs of the child-within-the-family.
Source: Jo Warin, 'Joined-up services for young children and their families: papering over the cracks or re-constructing the foundations?', Children & Society, Volume 21 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Mar
Researchers sought to identify the main areas where families with children under 11 needed further support to limit the risk of unhealthy weight gain. Although there was a high level of awareness of the importance of good diet and physical activity, some parents needed additional support to transfer awareness into action.
Source: Susan Jebb, Toni Steer and Christopher Holmes, The 'Healthy Living' Social Marketing Initiative: A review of the evidence, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Mar
A literature review examined the importance of giving young children the time, space, and resources to play in their own way, without the influence of adults structuring their time and activities. It highlighted concerns over policies that structured young children's lives in pursuit of targets and testing.
Source: Free Play in Early Childhood, National Children's Bureau (020 7843 6029)
Links: NCB press release
Date: 2007-Mar
A think-tank report said that more babies were born in Britain at dangerously low birth-weights in 2006 than in 1989. It called for more financial support for at-risk women, better access to antenatal services, and one-to-one care for all newborns in intensive care.
Source: Louise Bamfield, Born Unequal: Why we need a progressive pre-birth agenda, Fabian Society (020 7227 4900)
Links: Fabian Society press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Mar
An article examined the effectiveness of a parenting programme as a preventive intervention with parents of pre-school children considered to be at risk of developing conduct disorder. The study (based in Sure Start centres in Wales) showed the effectiveness of an evidence-based parenting intervention delivered with fidelity by regular Sure Start staff. A linked article said that the programme was also cost-effective.
Source: Judy Hutchings et al., 'Parenting intervention in Sure Start services for children at risk of developing conduct disorder: pragmatic randomised controlled trial', British Medical Journal, 31 March 2007 | Rhiannon Edwards, Alan C?illeachair, Tracey Bywater, Dyfrig Hughes and Judy Hutchings, 'Parenting programme for parents of children at risk of developing conduct disorder: cost effectiveness analysis', British Medical Journal, 31 March 2007
Links: Article (1) | Abstract (1) | Article (2) | Abstract (2) | Oxford University press release
Date: 2007-Mar
A study in Scotland examined children's and young people's views, concerns, and experiences regarding their sexual health and well-being. Concerns were often interwoven with experiences and relationships with peers and partners, normative values within the peer group, and lay communication about sexual issues within peer settings. Specific attention was required to challenge the stigmas that threatened young people's sexual health and wellbeing, such as that surrounding homosexuality.
Source: Kathryn Backett-Milburn et al., Children and Young People's Concerns about Their Sexual Health and Well-Being, Scottish Executive (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Mar
A Member of Parliament introduced a Bill designed to establish a national strategy to safeguard runaway and missing children; to make provision for the collection and reporting of information about runaway and missing children; and for related co-ordination between local authorities and other bodies.
Source: Safeguarding Runaway and Missing Children Bill, Helen Southworth MP, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Bill
Date: 2007-Feb
A joint inspectorate report said that the government's record on preventing accidental injuries to children was a 'disgrace'. Children from deprived backgrounds were 13 times more likely to die from unintentional injuries than those from affluent families.
Source: Better Safe than Sorry: Preventing unintentional injury to children, Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (020 7448 9200) and Audit Commission
Links: Report | Audit Commission press release | BBC report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Feb
The Scottish Executive published (following consultation) an action plan for improving the health of children and young people in Scotland.
Source: Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people's health in Scotland, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | Consultation responses
Date: 2007-Feb
The government published a review of its general road safety strategy, and published a strategy on child road safety in particular. 'Good progress' was being made on meeting the road safety targets set for 2010, in particular the target to reduce child fatal or serious injuries by 50 per cent. The child road safety strategy set out an action plan of measures to help reduce child casualties further by 2010.
Source: Second Review of the Government's Road Safety Strategy, Department for Transport (0870 1226 236) | Child Road Safety Strategy 2007, Department for Transport
Links: Review | Child strategy | DT press release
Date: 2007-Feb
A study found that the United Kingdom came last for children's well-being in a list of more than 20 wealthy developed countries. The study measured well-being across six categories: material well-being, health and safety, education, family and peer relationships, behaviours and risks, and subjective well-being. The UK came bottom in family and peer relationships, and in behaviour and risks; and was in the bottom third for five of the six dimensions reviewed.
Source: Report Card 7, Child Poverty in Perspective: An overview of child well-being in rich countries, UNICEF UK (020 7405 5592)
Links: Report | UNICEF press release | OCC press release | CPAG press release | Barnardos press release | CRAE press release | Shelter press release | Parentline Plus press release | Citizenship Foundation press release | CSJ press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Community Care report | Independent report
Date: 2007-Feb
An audit report said that deaths and injuries on the roads cost the National Health Service £470 million every year, and the economy £8 billion. Britain's roads were among the safest in the world: but a child pedestrian in England was three times more likely to die on the roads than in Italy, and twice as likely as in France.
Source: Changing Lanes, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report | Audit Commission press release
Date: 2007-Feb
A report (by an official advisory body) provided an update and overview of progress in implementing recommendations (made in 2003) regarding the needs of children of problem drug-users.
Source: Hidden Harm: Three Years On - Realities, challenges and opportunities, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (020 7035 0454)
Links: Report | ACMD press release | Drugscope press release
Date: 2007-Feb
A report by a committee of MPs said that efforts to tackle the obesity epidemic in children were confused, slow-paced, and hampered by ministers' attempts to stay friendly with the food industry.
Source: Tackling Child Obesity - First Steps, Eighth Report (Session 2006-07), HC 157, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | DH press release | Consumer Association press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jan