An article reported on a qualitative study with young people growing up in families where there were substance-use problems.
Source: Kathryn Backett-Milburn, Sarah Wilson, Angus Bancroft and Sarah Cunningham-Burley, 'Challenging childhoods: Young people's accounts of "getting by" in families with substance use problems', Childhood, Volume 15 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Dec
The government published a national strategy for play. It said that time and space to play safely was integral to its ambition to make England the best country in the world for children and young people to grow up – it was vital to children's physical, emotional, social, and educational development. The aim, backed by an investment of £235 million, was to make sure that every residential area had a variety of high-quality places for all children to play safely and free of charge.
Source: The Play Strategy, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200) and Department for Children, Schools and Families
Links: Strategy | DCMS/DCSF press release | Play England press release | EDCM press release | SkillsActive press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Dec
A report said that almost 1 in 4 of children aged 4-5 were either overweight or obese. For those aged 10-11 the rate was nearly 1 in 3.
Source: National Child Measurement Programme: 2007/08 School Year Headline Results, NHS Information Centre (0845 300 6016)
Links: Report | DH press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Dec
A study examined influences on children's development during key stage 2 (ages 7-11). Mother's highest qualification level, and the early years home learning environment, were still among the strongest predictors of better academic and social-behavioural outcomes at ages 10 and 11, in line with findings at younger ages. Pupils who were eligible for free school meals reported higher enjoyment of school than those not eligible: but they tended to have slightly poorer behavioural self-image.
Source: Kathy Sylva et al., Final Report from the Primary Phase: Pre-School, School and Family Influences on Children's Development During Key Stage 2 (Age 7 11), Research Report RR061, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Brief | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Nov
The Welsh Assembly government published a report bringing together research and statistical data covering aspects of the well-being of children and young people in Wales. Fewer children were living in poverty, and academic achievement was rising: but one-fifth of children under 15 were obese, and sexually transmitted infections were increasing.
Source: 2008 Children and Young People's Well-being Monitor for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report | WAG press release | WalesOnline report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Nov
The Northern Ireland Executive published an action plan designed to provide help and support to children with substance-misusing parents or carers.
Source: Regional Hidden Harm Action Plan: Responding to the needs of children born to and living with parental alcohol and drug misuse in Northern Ireland, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety/Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Action plan | NIE press release
Date: 2008-Nov
A report by a committee of MPs said that road safety strategy beyond 2010 should be explicitly set in the context of wider policy objectives; and that the government should renew its focus on tackling the level of child road traffic deaths associated with deprivation.
Source: Ending the Scandal of Complacency: Road safety beyond 2010, Eleventh Report (Session 2007-08), HC 460, House of Commons Transport Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Guardian report | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Oct
The inspectorate for education and children's services began consultation on a proposed standard set of school-level indicators which would recognize and reward schools for their contribution to pupils' well-being. Schools could contribute to well-being by (for example) providing a safe environment in which bullying was not tolerated; by teaching children about healthy eating and the risks of drug and alcohol abuse; and by helping to develop children's self-esteem and social skills.
Source: Indicators of a School's Contribution to Well-Being, HMI 080195, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833)
Links: Consultation document | OFSTED press release | DCSF press release | Telegraph report | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Oct
The findings were published of the third Millennium Cohort Study survey (a survey of more than 15,000 children born in the United Kingdom during the first two years of the new millennium). Fewer than two-thirds of children were living with their married natural parents at age 5. Girls were already two months ahead of boys in their learning development when they started school. The children of young, poorly educated mothers were more likely to face health and educational problems before they started school.
Source: Kirstine Hansen and Heather Joshi (eds.), Millennium Cohort Study Third Survey: A User's Guide to Initial Findings, Centre for Longitudinal Studies/University of London (020 7612 6875)
Links: Report | CLS press release | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2) | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Oct
A study found that children who experienced three or more stressful life events, such as family bereavement, divorce, or serious illness, were significantly more likely to develop emotional and behavioural disorders.
Source: Nina Parry-Langdon (ed.), Three Years On: A survey of the emotional development and wellbeing of children and young people, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Report | ONS press release | MHF press release | YoungMinds press release | Christian Institute press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Oct
An annual survey of almost 150,000 children in England aged 10-15 found that a large majority were happy and healthy, and felt safe in their schools and local areas: but almost half were worried about their future, and there were specific concerns about bullying, smoking, drinking, and drugs.
Source: TellUs3 National Report, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833)
Links: Report | OFSTED press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Oct
Researchers examined the definition, usage, and function of the word 'well-being' in public policy relating to children. They distinguished between well-being as a broad government ambition (making the lives of children better) and as an 'operationalized definition' (specific things the government set out to do that it believed would contribute to its ambition, and which it would define and measure).
Source: Gill Ereaut and Rebecca Whiting, What Do We Mean By 'Wellbeing'? And Why Might It Matter?, Research Report RW073, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Oct
An article examined how and why children's play differed according to their social background. It also highlighted the importance of street play in the lives of disadvantaged children, who engaged in street play as a consequence of having less space and fewer alternatives – and yet whose opportunities for play were further restricted due to local development and community 'policing'. The article called for the safeguarding of open public space, and an increased recognition of the importance and value of street play. It highlighted contradictions in government policy regarding children's play and well-being.
Source: Liz Sutton, 'The state of play: disadvantage, play and children's well-being', Social Policy and Society, Volume 7 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Oct
The children's rights watchdog in Wales called for improved treatment of young offenders and asylum-seeker children; and better policy to combat child poverty.
Source: Annual Review 07-08, Children's Commissioner for Wales (01792 765600)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Oct
An article examined the importance of increasing commercial pressures on children – whether children understood advertising; how child poverty was affected; and how increased materialism affected psychological well-being.
Source: David Piachaud, 'Freedom to be a child: commercial pressures on children', Social Policy and Society, Volume 7 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Oct
A literature review examined gambling by children and young people. A high proportion of children and young people gambled; and, compared with adults, a significantly higher proportion of children and young people were either problem gamblers or at risk of becoming problem gamblers. Research highlighted the potential usefulness of a public health model (incorporating prevention, education, and harm reduction) when tackling gambling by children and young people.
Source: Gill Valentine, Literature Review of Children and Young People's Gambling, Gambling Commission (0121 230 6500)
Links: Report | Gambling Commission press release
Date: 2008-Sep
An article said that new and different understandings of prevention in the field of child welfare could be explored when located within a contemporary context of social exclusion. A framework based on the work of the National Evaluation of the Children's Fund provided a useful way forward for the development of preventative policy and would enable practitioners to reflect on their activities and roles.
Source: Kate Morris and Marian Barnes, 'Prevention and social exclusion: new understandings for policy and practice', British Journal of Social Work, Volume 38 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Sep
There were a total of 247,780 road casualties in Great Britain in 2007, 4 per cent lower than in 2006. The number of children killed or seriously injured was 55 per cent below the 1994-1998 baseline – exceeding the target 50 per cent reduction by 2010.
Source: Road Casualties Great Britain: 2007 Annual Report, Department for Transport (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report | Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Sep
The children's watchdog for England examined how local authorities sought the views of children and young people about play, and whether these views were listened to in the development of local play strategies. Most children felt that freedom, physical activity, and areas which encouraged them to socialize, were crucial elements in good play provision. The popularity of parks and open spaces was partly dependent on the activities and equipment they contained: but for most children being outside in a natural space was important in its own right.
Source: Fun and Freedom: What children say about play in a sample of play strategy consultations, Office of the Children's Commissioner (0844 8009113) and Play England
Links: Report | NCB press release
Date: 2008-Aug
Researchers examined the developing social worlds of children in late primary school, exploring the patterns in children's general peer relationships, their closer and more significant friendships, and bullying behaviours. Most (75 per cent) of the sample belonged to 'positive friendship' groups: these children felt supported by their friends, and did not engage in bullying or experience victimization. Victims and bully/victims had lower levels of well-being than children in the positive friendships clusters; and were characterized by a number of difficulties, including low self-esteem and higher incidence of depression, that extended from early childhood through primary school.
Source: Leslie Gutman and John Brown, The Importance of Social Worlds: An investigation of peer relations, Research Report 29, Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning/University of London (020 7612 6291)
Links: Report | Brief | IOE press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Aug
The interim report of an official review said that there had been 'notable improvements' in how services promoted and protected the psychological health and well-being of children and young people: but there was still a great deal more to do.
Source: Improving the Mental Health and Psychological Well-being of Children and Young People: National CAMHS Review Interim Report, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Review press release | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Jul
The children's rights watchdog for England published its annual report for 2007-08.
Source: Annual Report and Accounts 2007/08, HC 912, Office of the Children's Commissioner, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Jul
A report was published by eight inspectorates on a review of arrangements for safeguarding children and young people in England. It said that there was evidence of improvements in children's services, and in outcomes for children and young people, since the previous report in 2005.
Source: Safeguarding Children: The third joint chief inspectors' report on arrangements to safeguard children, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833) and seven other inspectorates
Links: Report | Summary | Ofsted press release | DCSF press release | YJB press release | BBC report | Telegraph report | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Jul
A report by a committee of MPs said that the internet industry should take more responsibility for protecting young people from digital content relating to abuse, violence, and suicide.
Source: Harmful Content on the Internet and in Video Games, Tenth Report (Session 2007-08), HC 353, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Jul
The government began consultation on guidance in relation to schools' role in promoting well-being, and on the support they could expect from their local authority and other partners in the children's trust.
Source: Schools' Role in Promoting Pupil Well-being: Draft guidance for consultation, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Consultation document | Hansard | DCSF press release | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2) | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Jul
Researchers examined the network of 'family intervention projects' launched in 2006 to reduce anti-social behaviour by the most 'challenging' families, prevent cycles of homelessness, and achieve the five 'Every Child Matters' outcomes for children and young people. The early outcomes displayed considerable improvements in all key areas: anti-social behaviour and criminal activities had declined considerably at the point families exited from a project, as had the risk of families being evicted. The outcomes for children and young people were also reported to have improved.
Source: Clarissa White, Martha Warrener, Alice Reeves and Ivana La Valle, Family Intervention Projects: An evaluation of their design, set-up and early outcomes, Research Report RW047, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Brief | DCSF press release | Oxford University press release
Date: 2008-Jul
An article highlighted the need to move away from popular and 'simplistic' representations of children with caring responsibilities as victims of their parents' illnesses, as 'little angels' whose caring work was condoned through rewards, or as (exploited) informal domestic workers whose childhoods were inevitably compromised by the caring activity they undertook.
Source: Jo Aldridge, 'All work and no play? Understanding the needs of children with caring responsibilities', Children & Society, Volume 22 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Jul
A paper said that the government's 'Every Child Matters' agenda might fail because of too much emphasis on predetermined outcomes, leading educators to focus on narrow objectives at the expense of promoting the general well-being and development of children.
Source: Peter Moss and Graham Haydon, Every Child Matters and the Concept of Education, Institute of Education/University of London (020 7612 6050)
Links: IOE press release
Date: 2008-Jul
The government published an action plan on young runaways, setting out the level of service and support that local agencies should be providing. It said that local authorities should identify those at risk of running away as part of their targeted youth support arrangements.
Source: Young Runaways Action Plan, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Action Plan | DCSF press release | Childrens Society press release | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Jun
A think-tank report said that the growth of child protection policies, police vetting, and Criminal Records Bureau checks was poisoning the relationship between the generations, and damaging the voluntary sector. A 'vetting culture' encouraged risk aversion, thereby giving rise to a feeling that it was better to ignore young people, even if they needed help, rather than risk accusations of improper conduct. The government highlighted figures showing that more than 20,000 unsuitable people had been stopped from working with children and vulnerable adults in 2007 as a direct result of CRB checks.
Source: Frank Furedi and Jennie Bristow, Licensed to Hug, Civitas (020 7401 5470) | Press release 25 June 2008, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Civitas press release | Home Office press release | Kent University press release | NSPCC press release | Guardian report | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Jun
The number of people killed in road accidents in Great Britain fell by 7 per cent from 3,172 in 2006 to 2,943 in 2007. The number of children killed or seriously injured in 2007 was 3,090 (down 6 per cent on 2006).
Source: Road Casualties in Great Britain Main Results: 2007, Transport Statistics Bulletin 08/19, Department for Transport (020 7944 3098)
Links: Bulletin | DT press release | RAC Foundation press release | Liberal Democrats press release
Date: 2008-Jun
A report said that more needed to be done to support the children of parents with mental illness. Children did not get enough information on their parent's condition, and mental hospital visits could be traumatic.
Source: Jane Evans and Rebecca Fowler, Family Minded: Supporting children in families affected by mental illness, Barnardo's (01268 520224)
Links: Report | Barnardo's press release | MHF press release | Liberal Democrats press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Jun
The government published an action plan setting out how it intended to implement the Byron Review and make the internet and video games safer for children and young people.
Source: The Byron Review Action Plan, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Action plan | DCSF press release | NCH press release
Date: 2008-Jun
An article examined child trafficking in the United Kingdom. Shortcomings and inconsistent standards on the part of local authorities, a lack of specialist protection, and the uncertainty of a trafficked child's immigration status combined to make these children vulnerable to further harm and at risk from the influence of their traffickers.
Source: Farrah Bokhari, 'Falling through the gaps: safeguarding children trafficked into the UK', Children & Society, Volume 22 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-May
The children's watchdog office for England published a report summarizing what children and young people had told it about what made them happy and healthy.
Source: Happy and Healthy, Office of the Children's Commissioner (0844 8009113)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-May
The report was published of an annual panel survey which investigated the circumstances of families with dependent children. The first part focused on the circumstances of the family unit, and covered topics including: family characteristics; health; education; work; income; benefits and tax credits; and material deprivation. The second part focused on the circumstances of children, and covered topics including: child characteristics; health; schooling; activities and leisure; and childcare.
Source: Anne Conolly and Jane Kerr, Families and Children in Britain: Findings from the 2006 Families and Children Study (FACS), Research Report 486, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Date: 2008-May
The government announced proposals to extend the British Crime Survey to include surveys of the experiences of crime of children under 16, in order to improve understanding of young people's concerns about crime and victimization. A linked research report examined methodological issues.
Source: Press release 15 May 2008, Home Office (0870 000 1585) | Kevin Pickering, Patten Smith, Caroline Bryson and Christine Farmer, British Crime Survey: Options for Extending the Coverage to Children and People Living in Communal Establishments, Research Report 6, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Home Office press release | Consultation document | Research report | NCH press release | Nacro press release
Date: 2008-May
A new book highlighted the problems, dilemmas, and challenges facing the child protection agencies in England and Wales, and examined a variety of areas where knowledge on child abuse was either limited or out-of-date.
Source: Peter Kennison and Anthony Goodman (eds.), Children as Victims, Learning Matters (01392 215560)
Links: Summary
Date: 2008-Apr
The government began consultation on a strategy for children's play. An extra 3,500 play areas would be provided, and 30 local authorities would get £2 million each to build new adventure playgrounds, as part of a £235 million investment programme. There would be measures to tackle bullying and crime in play areas and other public spaces, to improve road safety, and to help town planners and developers to create more child-friendly public spaces. Every year children and young people would be asked how satisfied they were with their local play areas and parks.
Source: Fair Play: A consultation on the play strategy, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260) and Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Links: Consultation document | DCSF press release | NCH press release | Play England press release | Living Streets press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Apr
A report highlighted the negative effect that parents' chronic drinking could have on their children's well-being. Approximately 1 million children lived with a parent who was dependent on drink. Children of problem drinkers could experience long-term psychological damage into adulthood, and services to support both young carers and alcohol-dependent parents were too scarce.
Source: Don Shenker, Keeping It In The Family: Growing up with parents who misuse alcohol, Alcohol Concern (020 7928 7377) and Princess Royal Trust for Carers
Links: Report | Alcohol Concern press release | PRTC press release | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Apr
A survey found that an estimated 322,000 people attended hospital casualty departments in England and Wales in 2007 following assaults – 43,000 fewer than in 2006. The only population group experiencing an increase in violence-related injuries were children aged 0-10, where recorded incidents more than doubled – to 8,067, compared to 3,805 in 2006.
Source: Vaseekaran Sivarajasingam, Simon Moore and Jonathan Shepherd, Violence in England and Wales 2007: An accident and emergency perspective, Violence and Society Research Group/Cardiff University (02920 744215)
Links: Report | Cardiff University press release | NCH press release | Telegraph report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Apr
An article examined different perspectives on the changing nature of childhood, comparing these to state responses that sought to improve children's well-being. Modern children spent much of their time under cover, and under the watchful eyes of adults – probably with a negative impact on children's well-being. Possible styles of state intervention were examined. A broader approach was needed than was currently being considered.
Source: Tim Gill, 'Space-oriented children's policy: creating child-friendly communities to improve children's well-being', Children & Society, Volume 22 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Mar
An independent review examined the risks to children from exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games. Parent's general lack of confidence and awareness was leaving children vulnerable to risks within their digital worlds. It called for the creation of a new 'UK Council for Child Internet Safety', including representation from across government, industry, children's charities, and other key stakeholders.
Source: Tanya Byron, Safer Children in a Digital World: The report of the Byron Review, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Summary | Review press release | Hansard | DCSF press release | NCH press release | Childrens Society press release | ASA press release | FT report | Telegraph report | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Mar
A new book examined the main approaches to conceptualizing child well-being; applied them to the child population using household survey and agency audit data; and considered the implications for children's services.
Source: Nick Axford, Exploring Concepts of Child Well-being: Implications for children's services, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2008-Mar
A think-tank report said that many young people were effectively being 'raised online', spending in excess of 20 hours a week using social networking sites – over three times higher than previous official estimates. More needed to be done to protect young people from inappropriate content and to promote and enforce guidelines on the limits of acceptable behaviour.
Source: Kay Withers with Ruth Sheldon, Behind the Screen: The hidden life of youth online, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report | IPPR press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Mar
The opposition Conservative Party announced plans for a universal health visiting service, with 4,200 extra health visitors. New mothers would be given a guaranteed level of support, including: 2 home visits during the later weeks of pregnancy; 6 hours of health visitor support in the home over the first 2 weeks; home visits every 2 weeks for the next 6 months; monthly visits for all children between 6 months and a year; at least 2 annual visits for every child aged 1-5.
Source: Helping New Families: Support in the early years through universal health visiting, Conservative Party (020 7222 9000)
Links: Report | Conservative Party press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Mar
A report summarized evidence on children's lifestyles submitted to an independent enquiry. It highlighted the increasing degree to which children and young people were preoccupied with material possessions, and the psychological effects on children of commercial pressures.
Source: Good Childhood: What You Told Us About Lifestyle, Children's Society (020 7841 4415)
Links: Report | Children's Society press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Feb
A report summarized the early results of a longitudinal study, launched in 2005, which aimed to track a group of children and their families in Scotland from the early years through childhood and beyond.
Source: Paul Bradshaw et al., Growing Up In Scotland: Year 2 – Results from the second year of a study following the lives of Scotland's children, Scottish Government, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | Findings (1) | Findings (2) | Findings (3) | Findings (4)
Date: 2008-Feb
The government published (following consultation) an action plan for improving the safety of children and young people. It covered three main areas: 'universal safeguarding', involving work to keep all children and young people safe and to create safe environments for them; 'targeted safeguarding', to reduce the risks of harm for vulnerable groups of children and young people; and 'responsive safeguarding', involving responding effectively when children were harmed.
Source: Staying Safe: Action Plan, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Action plan | Hansard | DCSF press release | Consultation document | NCH press release | NUT press release | PAT press release | Liberal Democrats press release | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Feb
Nearly 1 in 4 children starting primary school were either overweight or obese. By the time they left aged 11, the proportion had risen to 1 in 3.
Source: Press release 21 February 2008, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report | BBC report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2008-Feb
An article examined the relationships between the concepts of participation and prevention from social exclusion, in the context of recent social policy initiatives for children. The blurring of the rationales for participation and prevention had implications for the strategies and practices that agencies adopted, and raised questions about which groups benefited and whose agendas were served by participation and prevention activities.
Source: Ruth Evans and Neil Spicer, 'Is participation prevention?', Childhood, Volume 15 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Feb
A study examined what children and young people, and their parents and carers, understood to be contributing factors to children's 'well-being'; the language they used when talking about what was implied by 'well-being'; and the ways in which parents and carers felt children and young people could be supported (that is, the appropriate roles for government, parents, schools, extended families, and others).
Source: Counterpoint Research, Childhood Wellbeing: Qualitative research study, Research Report RW031, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260) Links: Report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Feb
A report summarized research on children's views on bullying. It covered children living away from home in England (in children's homes, boarding schools, residential special schools, residential further education colleges, foster care, adoption placements, or residential family centres), those who were getting help of any sort from the children's social care services of their local council, and care leavers. Increasing numbers of children claimed they carried knives and bottles to defend themselves against bullies.
Source: <:Roger Morgan (Children's Rights Director for England), Children on Bullying, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (07002 637833)
Links: Report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Feb
The opposition Conservative Party published review group proposals aimed at making Britain the best place in the world for children to grow up. It said that work was needed in three vital areas: making outdoor space safer; dealing with bullying; and increasing accessibility to sports and other activities within and outside school.
Source: More Ball Games, Conservative Party (020 7222 9000)
Links: Report | Conservative Party press release | Childrens Society press release | Play England press release | NUT press release | Telegraph report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Feb
Researchers examined pupil and school effects on children's well-being during primary school. Most children experienced positive well-being in primary school. It was children's individual experiences – such as bullying, victimization, and friendships, and their beliefs about themselves and their environment – which mainly affected their well-being, rather than school-level factors such as type of school.
Source: Leslie Gutman and Leon Feinstein, Children's Well-Being in Primary School: Pupil and School Effects, Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning/Institute of Education (020 7612 6291)
Links: Report | Brief | CRWBL press release
Date: 2008-Jan
A Law Lords ruling opened the possibility that people who had been victims of physical and sexual abuse as children might, in individual cases, be able to pursue compensation claims beyond the existing time limit of 6 years after turning the age of 18. (The ruling was made in a case where a rape victim was seeking compensation from her attacker outside the 6-year limit.)
Source: A v Hoare, C (FC) v Middlesbrough Council, X (FC) and another (FC) v London Borough of Wandsworth (Conjoined Appeals), H (FC) v Suffolk County Council, Young (FC) v Catholic Care (Diocese of Leeds) and others, UKHL 6 (Session 2007-08), House of Lords Judicial Office (020 7219 3111)
Links: Text of judgement | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Jan
The government announced the creation of a new cross-government working group which would develop an action plan to drive forward the work on young runaways.
Source: Press release 10 January 2008, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0870 000 2288)
Links: DCSF press release | Childrens Society press release | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2008-Jan