Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 15/01/24.
Research briefing: Youth vaping in England – House of Commons Library
12 January 2024. Vaping has increased among children and young people in England. This briefing considers the potential causes, implications and the government’s policy response:
Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9932/
News: I’m up for fight over nanny state accusations, says Keir Starmer – BBC News Online
12 January 2024, Sam Francis. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “up for that fight” over accusations Labour is embracing the “nanny state”, as he announced proposals for supervised toothbrushing in schools:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67943548
Article: Why are so many women dying during pregnancy and what can be done? – Guardian Online
11 January 2024, Andrew Gregory. Number dying in UK has reached highest level in 20 years but alarming trend going unaddressed worldwide:
News: London’s free primary school meals set to be extended – BBC News Online
10 January 2024. Primary school pupils in London will receive free lunches for another year, under plans put forward by Mayor Sadiq Khan:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67913337
Article: Government’s long-awaited Family Hubs now open to families in 75 areas – Nursery World
10 January 2024, Katy Morton. The Government’s Family Hubs, first announced in 2021, are now open across 75 local authorities, while the DfE has launched a new campaign to support parents with their child’s development:
News: Labour proposes free breakfast clubs to tackle persistent school absence – BBC News Online
10 January 2024, Marthe de Ferrer and Branwen Jeffreys. Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson set out the proposed measures, including free breakfast clubs for primary schools, at an event at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ):
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-67916002
News: Midwife quit over ‘unsafe care’ and staffing – BBC News Online
9 January 2024, Catherine Burns, Laura Foster & Alison Benjamin. A former midwife has told the BBC she quit because she could not live with herself if she provided poor care. Hannah Williams says staff shortages meant she kept patients safe, but sometimes only “by the skin of her teeth”:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67732916
Guidance: Improving the mental health of babies, children and young people – Department of Health and Social Care
8 January 2024. A framework of modifiable factors to guide promotion of good mental health in babies, children and young people:
News: School absences: Boost sport to get pupils back in class – report – BBC News Online
7 January 2024, Nathan Standley. More sport in school and investment in youth clubs are needed to tackle the number of children regularly missing class, according to a new report:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-67893387
Article: National early years recruitment campaign to launch in February – Nursery Management Today
4 January 2024. The government’s first television advertising campaign to drive early years recruitment will launch next month:
Link: https://nmt-magazine.co.uk/national-early-years-recruitment-campaign-to-launch-in-february/
News: Exclusive: Officially commissioned research lays out effects of shelving anti-obesity pledges – Guardian Online
25 December 2023, Andrew Gregory. Exclusive: Officially commissioned research lays out effects of shelving anti-obesity pledges:
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/25/health-england-children-risk-obesity-report
Open consultation: Gender questioning children: draft schools and colleges guidance – Department for Education
19 December 2023. Views sought on the DfE draft non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges about children questioning their gender. This consultation is being held on another website. This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 12 March 2024: