Other youth related health news
Public Health England has published new health profiles which include young people's health indicators. The profiles, which are produced annually, give a snapshot overview of health for each local authority in England and include indicators of Children's and young people's health. For further information visit www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=P_HEALTH_PROFILES.
NICE has published guidance and recommendations for local authorities and partner organisations on promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. For further information visit http://publications.nice.org.uk/social-and-emotional-wellbeing-for-children-and-young-people-lgb12/introduction.
The Office for National Statistics has published Quarterly Conceptions to Women aged under 18, England and Wales, which show that between April and June 2012, 7,593 women aged under 18 fell pregnant, compared to 7,709 in the previous three months to March; the rate of conception, per thousand women aged 15-17, fell from 30.8 to 28.4; and since June 2009, the number of teenage pregnancies has fallen from 10,046. To access the statistics visit www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/quart-conc-to-women-und-18/q2-2012/index.html.
Young Minds, a charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, has launched an online survey for young people to share their thoughts and feelings on issues which worry them, including bullying and body image. For further information visit www.youngminds.org.uk/about/our_campaigns/mass_movement_for_change. To take part in the survey visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KybsSeh7DuN15puYdILDaMy42nQ2wHCbsbmbR-oPRu0/viewform.
Think Local Act Personal has launched Making it Real, a guide designed to support organisation in taking practical steps to make personalisation for young carers a reality. The guide focuses on six themes of information and advice; active and supportive communities; flexible and integrated support; workforce; risk enablement; and personal budgets and self funding. To download the guide visit www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/_library/MIRyoungcarersFINAL.pdf.
The NUS has published a report on the experiences of student carers in the UK. Key findings from the report include estimates that carers make up between three and six percent of the student population, with the majority being women; only 36 percent of student carers felt able to balance work commitments to 53 percent non-carer students; student carers had experienced varying degrees of support from their institutions, but in all cases there was a lack of coordinated, systematic support; 67 percent student carers regularly worry about not having enough money to meet their basic living expenses, with full-time students ineligible for Carer’s Allowance; and student carers indicated lower levels of well-being that non-carer students. To download the full report visit www.nus.org.uk/Global/Campaigns/Learning%20with%20Care%20-%20NUS%20research%20report.pdf.
NICE has issued guidance on the management and support of children and young people on the autism spectrum. Key points include that health and social care professionals should assess what personal, social, emotional and practical support can be offered to families; services should be tailored to individual needs; autistic children and young people should have access to leisure activities and receive more support during transitional periods; and each autistic should have a care manager or key worker responsible for overseeing their treatment. For further information visit http://publications.nice.org.uk/autism-cg170.