An article reported a study (in London) that had found that the introduction of 20mph zones was associated with a 41.9 per cent drop in road casualties. The greatest reduction was seen in children under the age of 11.
Source: Chris Grundy et al., 'Effect of 20 mph traffic speed zones on road injuries in London, 1986-2006: controlled interrupted time series analysis', British Medical Journal, 10 December 2009
Links: Article | LSHTM press release | Telegraph report | BBC report | Guardian report | Local Government Chronicle report
Date: 2009-Dec
A report (by an official advisory body) proposed changes to the law on conspiracy. Proposals included: changing the law to allow a husband and wife to be jointly charged with conspiracy to commit a crime; and making it possible to bring a charge of attempted murder against parents who failed to provide their children with enough food and water.
Source: Conspiracy and Attempts, LC318, HC 41, Law Commission/TSO
Links: Report | Draft Bill | Law Commission press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Dec
The government announced that it accepted the recommendations of an independent review of the proposed Vetting and Barring Scheme, which would have required about 11 million people working with children to undergo criminal record checks. The review recommended a series of modifications to the scheme designed to reduce the burden of compliance, exempting around 2 million people from its coverage.
Source: Roger Singleton (Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority), 'Drawing the Line': A report on the government's Vetting and Barring Scheme, Department for Children, Schools and Families
Links: Report | Hansard | DCSF press release | NASUWT press release | ATL press release | Liberal Democrats press release | Guardian report | BBC report | Telegraph report | Children & Young People Now report | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Dec
An independent review (led by David Buckingham) examined the impact of the commercial world on children's well-being. It said that although there were risks and a need for appropriate safeguards, the commercial world and the media offered children great opportunities for learning, social development, and enjoyment. Children and parents needed help in acquiring the skills to exploit these opportunities while staying safe.
Source: The Impact of the Commercial World on Children's Wellbeing: Report of an Independent Assessment, Department for Children, Schools and Families
Links: Report | DCSF press release | Advertising Association press release | SIRC press release | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2009-Dec
A study found that, despite the peace process, children and young people in Northern Ireland were still dealing with the effects of trauma, bereavement, parental imprisonment, and community-based punishments.
Source: Siobhan McAlister, Phil Scraton and Deena Haydon, Childhood in Transition: Experiencing marginalisation and conflict in Northern Ireland, Save the Children (020 7703 5400) and Prince's Trust
Links: Report | Summary | QUB press release
Date: 2009-Nov
A study found that more than one-half of people recruited by churches to work with children were not asked to supply referees, complete application forms, or attend an interview.
Source: Safeguarding Children in the Church, Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service
Links: Summary | CCPAS press release | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2009-Nov
A report said that children with conduct problems went on in later life to commit four-fifths of all crime. Action to prevent conduct problems in young children could dramatically reduce their chances of offending later in life.
Source: The Chance of a Lifetime: Preventing early conduct problems and reducing crime, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (020 7827 8300)
Links: Report | SCMH press release | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2009-Nov
A report said that children and young people trafficked into the United Kingdom, or exploited after their arrival, were struggling to get help from authorities responsible for their welfare.
Source: Laura Wirtz with Myfanwy Franks, Fran Johnson and Lisa Nandy, Hidden Children: Separated children at risk, Children's Society (020 7841 4415)
Links: Report | Summary | Children's Society press release | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Nov
New forecasts for 2020 suggested that the rate of obesity among boys in England would be 13 per cent (instead of 20 per cent, as previously predicted). The predicted obesity rate among girls had fallen from 14 per cent to 10 per cent.
Source: Martin Brown, Tom Byatt, Tim Marsh and Klim McPherson, Obesity Trends for Children Aged 2-11: Analysis from the Health Survey for England 1993-2007, National Heart Forum (020 7383 7638)
Links: Report | Summary | NHF press release
Date: 2009-Nov
A report examined the lives of children and young people living alone and at risk on the streets, and highlighted the extent to which too many of them were not getting the right support at the right time.
Source: Emilie Smeaton, Off the Radar: Children and young people on the streets in the UK, Railway Children
Links: Summary | Railway Children press release | New Start report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2009-Nov
An article examined the association between maternal employment and childhood obesity. Children whose mothers worked part-time or full-time were more likely to primarily drink sweetened beverages between meals (compared with other beverages), use the television/computer at least 2 hours daily (compared with 0-2), or be driven to school (compared with walk/cycle) than children whose mothers had never been employed.
Source: Summer Sherburne Hawkins, Tim Cole and Catherine Law, 'Examining the relationship between maternal employment and health behaviours in 5-year-old British children', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Volume 63 Number 12
Links: Abstract | UCL press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Nov
Researchers examined solutions that would meet the emergency accommodation needs of young runaways (based on a series of interviews and consultation exercises with professionals and young people). The study also reviewed previous research and other literature on the issue of running away.
Source: Gwyther Rees, Myfanwy Franks, Ros Medforth and Jim Wade, Commissioning, Delivery and Perceptions of Emergency Accommodation for Young Runaways, Research Report RR181, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Childrens Society press release | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2009-Nov
An article examined the recent history of early years provision and critically explored the extent to which the government had been effective in unifying services, raising the status of early years practitioners, addressing underfunding, and challenging disadvantage and social exclusion.
Source: John Wadsworth and Rosalyn George, 'Choosing the right approach: New Labour and the care and education of young children', FORUM: for promoting 3-19 comprehensive education, Volume 51 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Oct
An article provided an overview of the aims, methodology, and recommendations of the Children's Society's 'Good Childhood Inquiry'. It called for a change in attitude towards children and young people, and said that the eradication of financial inequality and age discrimination needed to be prioritized in existing legislation and policy to ensure a good childhood for all children.
Source: Bob Reitemeier, 'Striving to achieve a good childhood for all', Benefits: Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, Volume 17 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Oct
A report said that high public spending on child welfare and education in the United Kingdom was failing to produce results in many key areas. To give every child the chance of a better future, the government should continue to spend more on younger children, and target spending on older children more effectively.
Source: Doing Better for Children, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (+33 1 4524 8200)
Links: UK summary | OECD press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Sep
A report said that the United Kingdom had the poorest record in Europe for almost every preventable social problem, due to a failure to invest in preventive services. Investing in early intervention and universal services for children and families could save the economy £486 billion over a 20-year period, as well as improving child well-being, by reducing problems such as crime, mental illness, family breakdown, and drug abuse.
Source: Jody Aked, Nicola Steuer, Eilis Lawlor and Stephen Spratt, Backing the Future: Why investing in children is good for us all, Action for Children (020 7704 7000) and New Economics Foundation
Links: Report | Action for Children press release | Drug Education Forum press release | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Sep
A survey examined participation by children and young people in out-of-school sporting opportunities, and their total participation in sporting opportunities both in and out of school/college. Just over 1 in 5 of those aged 5-19 (21 per cent) took part in 3 hours or more of organized sport per week: whereas 47 per cent did no organized sport.
Source: Ipsos MORI, Children and Young People's Participation in Organised Sport: Omnibus survey, Research Report RR135, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jul
The government published new statutory guidance requiring local authorities to do more to protect and support young people who ran away from home. Local authorities were told to provide a named person responsible for runaways, and set up out-of-hours services and effective emergency accommodation. Services should be co-ordinated with agencies such as the police and voluntary sector organizations across local authority boundaries.
Source: Statutory Guidance on Children Who Run Away and Go Missing from Home or Care, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Guidance | DCSF press release | Childrens Society press release | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Jul
A report highlighted a shortage of therapy services for sexually abused children.
Source: Debra Allnock et al., Sexual Abuse and Therapeutic Services for Children and Young People: The gap between provision and need, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (0207 825 2775)
Links: Summary | NSPCC press release | Action for Children press release | BBC report | Local Government Chronicle report
Date: 2009-Jul
A report presented a multi-dimensional questionnaire designed to help charities measure improvements in the subjective well-being of children aged 11-16.
Source: Camilla Nevill, Feelings Count: Measuring children's subjective well-being for charities and funders, New Philanthropy Capital (0207 401 8080)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jul
Researchers examined serious case reviews (local enquiries into the death or serious injury of a child where abuse or neglect was known or suspected) during the period April 2005 to March 2007. Most serious case reviews were of 'limited benefit' because they failed to provide enough information. The chaotic behaviour in families was often mirrored in professionals' thinking and actions: many families and professionals were overwhelmed by having too many problems to face and too much to achieve.
Source: Marian Brandon et al., Understanding Serious Case Reviews and their Impact: A biennial analysis of serious case reviews 2005-07, Research Report RR129, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Brief | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Jun
A report by a committee of MSPs said that there was 'disturbing evidence' that children under 5 were not being monitored for mental well-being by statutory services. It expressed 'deep concern' at the lack of progress in several areas of the national framework on child and adolescent mental health.
Source: Inquiry Into Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being, 7th Report 2009, SP Paper 309, Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Jun
The number of children killed or seriously injured in road accidents in Great Britain in 2008 was 2,807, down 9 per cent on 2007.
Source: Road Casualties in Great Britain: Main Results – 2008, Transport Statistics Bulletin 09/19, Department for Transport (020 7944 3098)
Links: Bulletin | Summary | RAC Foundation press release | ACPO press release | Living Streets press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Jun
A report examined the complexities involved in identifying and responding to the needs of children and young people who had been trafficked into and within the United Kingdom. Trafficking was often hidden behind a wall of silence – with children and young people on one side, afraid or unable to talk, and practitioners on the other, finding it hard to identify the child or young person, respond to their needs, or prosecute their abusers.
Source: Jenny Pearce, Patricia Hynes and Silvie Bovarnick, Breaking the Wall of Silence: Practitioners' responses to trafficked children and young people, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (0207 825 2775)
Links: Report | Summary | Bedfordshire University press release
Date: 2009-Jun
A new book said that a raft of target-driven initiatives, and a 'fierce' regulatory structure, had led to an oppressive set of demands being placed on children in their early years.
Source: Richard Eke, Helen Butcher and Mandy Lee (eds.), Whose Childhood Is It? The roles of children, adults and policy makers, Continuum International Publishing (020 7922 0880)
Links: Summary | UWE press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Jun
A think-tank report said that mental health problems in children and teenagers had a significant impact on their chances of success in employment and family life as well as contact with the criminal justice system. People with conduct problems in adolescence were at double the risk of leaving school with no qualifications. They were also more likely to be out of work or low paid, to become teenage parents, and to be divorced later in life.
Source: Marcus Richards and Rosemary Abbott, Childhood Mental Health and Life Chances in Post-war Britain: Insights from three national birth cohort studies, Smith Institute (020 7592 3618)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-May
An article examined the extent to which certain risk factors – poor childhood and adult socio-economic conditions, lower childhood cognitive ability, and cigarette smoking – were part of the same pathway linking childhood experience to adult survival.
Source: Diana Kuh et al., 'Do childhood cognitive ability or smoking behaviour explain the influence of lifetime socio-economic conditions on premature adult mortality in a British post war birth cohort?', Social Science & Medicine Volume 68 Issue 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-May
A new book examined how children aged 3-11 were educated, in the context of the 'Every Child Matters' agenda. Separate chapters were dedicated to each of the five ECM outcomes: being healthy; staying safe; enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; and achieving economic well-being. Issues discussed included: social justice; diversity and inclusion; the child in society; and working with families.
Source: Gianna Knowles, Ensuring Every Child Matters, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-May
Researchers examined the complexity of relationships between family doctors, parents, and children in cases where children (about whom there were welfare concerns) and their parents were both patients.
Source: Hilary Tompsett et al., The Child, the Family and the GP: Tensions and conflicts of interest in safeguarding children, Research Report RBX-09-05-ES, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2009-Apr
The government began consultation on proposals to cut the number of deaths on the roads in Great Britain beyond 2010. A linked research report said that driving at excessive speed, driver intoxication, driver/passenger failure to wear seat-belts, and unlicensed/uninsured driving were most prevalent in fatal collisions involving people from the most deprived social groups.
Source: A Safer Way: Consultation on making Britain's roads the safest in the world, Department for Transport (0870 1226 236) | David Clarke, Pat Ward, Wendy Truman and Craig Bartle, A Poor Way to Die: Social deprivation and road traffic fatalities, Department for Transport
Links: Consultation document | Summary | Hansard | DT press release | Research report | Green Party press release | Living Streets press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Apr
A report provided an interim evaluation of a pilot programme designed to build the resilience of year 7 pupils (aged around 12) in school and out-of-school settings. The initial quantitative work found a significant positive impact on pupils' depression and anxiety symptom scores. Pupils were positive about the programme, with the majority reporting that they enjoyed the workshops, and that they had learned skills that would help them solve problems, feel happier, and behave well.
Source: Amy Challen, Philip Noden, Anne West and Stephen Machin, UK Resilience Programme Evaluation: Interim Report, Research Report RR094, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2009-Apr
A literature review examined the evidence base on recognition, effective intervention, and inter-agency working in child abuse – focusing on recognition of neglect. Despite increased awareness of the effects of neglect, recognition of neglect was inconsistent and referrals to services were often triggered by other events or concerns about vulnerable children.
Source: Brigid Daniel, Julie Taylor and Jane Scott, Noticing and Helping the Neglected Child: Literature review, Research Brief RBX-09-03, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Brief
Date: 2009-Apr
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on its road safety strategy.
Source: Ending the Scandal of Complacency: Road Safety beyond 2010 – Further Government Response to the Committee's Eleventh Report, Second Special Report (Session 2008-09), HC 422, House of Commons Transport Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2009-Apr
A study said that the United Kingdom ranked 24th for children's well-being in a study of 29 European countries. The well-being of children was measured across seven areas: health, education, housing, material resources, relationships, risk, and how young people felt about their lives. The UK's worst performance came in material resources, where it was ranked 24th out of a table of 26, due to the high proportion of families where no parent worked.
Source: Child Wellbeing and Child Poverty: Where the UK Stands in the European Table, Child Poverty Action Group (020 7837 7979)
Links: Report | CPAG press release | ECP press release | UNICEF press release | BBC report | Community Care report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Apr
A study found that parents and children were positive about recent improvements made to play areas as a result of higher government investment: they felt they spent longer periods of time on the sites due to the increased variety and appeal. Local authorities reported higher numbers of users following improvements.
Source: Emma Wallace, Julia Pye, Fay Nunney and Nick Maybanks, Children and Parents' Experiences of Recently Improved Play Areas: Qualitative research, Research Report RR089, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Date: 2009-Mar
The healthcare inspectorate expressed concern over the number of nurses and other hospital staff who were not being taught how to recognize the signs of child abuse.
Source: Improving Services for Children in Hospital: Report of the follow-up to the 2005/06 review, Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (020 7448 9200)
Links: Report | CHAI press release | Telegraph report | Guardian report | BBC report | Community Care report | Personnel Today report
Date: 2009-Mar
Researchers examined the benefits of play and how these could most appropriately be measured and evaluated. They concluded that measuring health and well-being outcomes empirically and establishing causal links with play was 'challenging and contested', and that there was considerable scope for improving the evidence base on the benefits of play provision for children aged 8-13 in particular.
Source: Sue Rogers, Caroline Pelletier and Alison Clark, Play and Outcomes for Children and Young People: Literature review to inform the national evaluation of play pathfinders and play builders, Research Brief RBX-09-06, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Brief
Date: 2009-Mar
A report provided an overview of children's health in relation to their environment, and recommended areas that should be taken forward in order to protect and promote children's health and to meet the United Kingdom's commitment to the Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe.
Source: A Children's Environment and Health Strategy for the United Kingdom, Health Protection Agency (020 7339 1300)
Links: Report | HPA press release
Date: 2009-Mar
The government published a strategy for improving the health of children and young people. There would be stronger and better joined-up support during the crucial early years of life, including more health visitors; and a strengthened role for Sure Start children's centres with, for the first time, each centre having access to a named health visitor.
Source: Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures: The strategy for children and young people's health, Department of Health (08701 555455) and Department for Children, Schools and Families
Links: Strategy | Summary | Impact assessment | Hansard | DH press release | DCSF press release | RCN press release | Action for Children press release | CPAG press release | NCT press release | CDC press release | NCB press release | Scope press release | Conservative Party press release | Community Care report | New Start report | Guardian report | Pulse report
Date: 2009-Feb
An article compared the well-being of children across England, Scotland, and Wales. Although England presented the highest child poverty rate, the outcomes of English children did not lag behind those of their Welsh and Scottish peers.
Source: Lucas Pedace, 'Functionings and child wellbeing: unexplained variations across England, Scotland and Wales', Benefits, Volume 17 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Feb
A new book (based on the 'Good Childhood' inquiry) examined the main stresses and influences to which children were exposed – family, friends, youth culture, values, and schooling – and made recommendations for improving the upbringing of children. Children's lives were more difficult than in the past, despite better education, health, and more possessions. Excessive individualism in society was to blame for many of the problems children faced.
Source: Richard Layard and Judy Dunn, A Good Childhood: Searching for values in a competitive age, Penguin Allen Lane (Fax: 0870 850 1115)
Links: Summary | Childrens Society press release | LSE press release | Fatherhood Institute press release | BBC report | Telegraph report | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2009-Feb
A report said that there was no evidence that the net impact of the commercial world on children's well-being had been negative over the previous 15 years: on the contrary, there was 'plenty of evidence' that aspects of the commercial world enhanced the well-being of children.
Source: Children's Wellbeing in a Commercial World, Advertising Association (020 7340 1100)
Links: Advertising Association press release | SkillsActive press release
Date: 2009-Jan
A report said that children aged 6-13 were struggling with a set of problems that were being overlooked or unsupported as they made the transition towards adolescence. 53 per cent of vulnerable children had problems controlling their temper; 25 per cent felt lonely; 38 per cent said that they had problems with their family; 35 per cent said that they had problems being bullied; and 28 per cent had problems with friends and social life.
Source: Stuck in the Middle: The importance of supporting six to 13 year olds, Action for Children (formerly NCH) (020 7704 7000)
Links: Report | Action for Children press release | Community Care report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jan
Campaigners said that there had been 20,758 incidents in England and Wales in 2008 where children (under 18) were recorded by police as victims of sex crimes, including rape, gross indecency, and incest. The number of offences recorded against girls was six times higher than the number against boys. Statistics were obtained from 42 police forces.
Source: Press release 19 January 2009, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (0207 825 2775)
Links: NSPCC press release | Telegraph report | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Jan