Other youth related news and resources
Groundwork UK is the Prime Contractor to the Education Funding Agency for the delivery of the government's 16-17 Youth Contract in a number of contract package areas, including the East Midlands. They are currently looking for additional delivery partners to offer personalised mentoring support to NEET 16 to 17 year olds in these areas. The programme aims to support NEET young people at the highest risk of long-term disengagement into sustainable positive outcomes in the form of education, training or apprenticeships. For further information email anna.howe@groundwork.org.uk or andrew.harrison@groundwork.org.uk or telephone 0121 236 8565.
Ditch the Label has published its annual cyberbullying survey. The survey of 10,008 young people aged 13-22, 67 percent of whom lived in the UK, found that 7 in 10 respondents were the victims of cyberbullying and 20 percent were experiencing extreme cyberbullying on a daily basis. For further information visit www.ditchthelabel.org/annual-cyber-bullying-survey-cyber-bullying-statistics.
As part of anti-bullying week, which takes place the week commencing Monday 18 November, BeatBullying has produced resources for teachers to tackle the issue with their students. To access the resources visit http://antibullyingweek.org/resources.
Girlguiding has published Care versus Control: Healthy Relationships, which explores girls’ views on coercion. Key findings from the attitudes survey include that 23 percent of girls aged 11 to 21 showed a full understanding of what an abusive relationship is; 21 percent said that telling you what you can and can’t wear was acceptable; 12 said that telling you who you can and can’t spend time with could sometimes be ok; 21 percent said that shouting at you or calling you names because of what you may have done could sometimes be ok; 22 percent said that checking up on you and reading your phone could sometimes be ok; and 96 percent said that it was never acceptable for a boy to hit, kick or punch his girlfriend for talking to someone else at a party. To download the full report visit http://girlsattitudes.girlguiding.org.uk/pdf/2025_Care_Versus_Control.pdf.
The NSPCC has commissioned research to explore disabled young people’s experiences and views of the child protection system. If you know of a young disabled person aged between 11 and 26 who may be interested in being interviewed about their experiences, email Audrey Cameron at acamero9@staffmail.ed.ac.uk.
ChildLine has published the results of a survey of 450 13-18 year olds on sexting, which found that 60 percent of respondents said they had been asked for a sexual image or video of themselves; 40 percent said they had created an image or video of themselves; and 25 percent said they had sent an image or video of themselves to someone else - most of these said the image went to a boyfriend or girlfriend, a third to someone they met online but didn't know in real life and 15 percent had sent it to a stranger. For further information visit www.nspcc.org.uk/news-and-views/media-centre/press-releases/2013/childline-internet-watch-foundation/childline-tackling-sexting-internet-watch-foundation_wdn98995.html.
In addition, ChildLine has launched a new app to help teenagers deal with the pressures of sexting. The app includes advice, tips for safe chat and funny images that young people can use to divert sexual conversations that are making them uncomfortable. For further information and to download the app visit www.childline.org.uk/Play/GetInvolved/Pages/sexting-zipit-app.aspx.
The Local Government Ombudsman has published No place like home: Councils’ use of unsuitable bed & breakfast accommodation for homeless families and young people. Key findings from the report include that over the last two years there has been a 14 percent increase in the number of complaints about council homelessness services; a lack of a joined up approach; local authorities are not considering alternatives to bed and breakfast accommodation; and there is a lack of flexible approach to moving families out of bed and breakfast. To download the report visit www.dodsmonitoring.com/downloads/misc_files/NoPlaceLikeHome.pdf.
The Department for Transport has published a report by the Transport Research Laboratory, entitled Novice Drivers: evidence review and evaluation of pre-driver training, graduated driver licensing and the New Drivers Act. It notes the over-representation of young novice drivers in road injury statistics and recommends a 12 month learner stage beginning at age 17, and a 12-month minimum probationary licence from age 18, which would contain restrictions including a night time driving curfew and a ban on carrying passengers under 30 years old for all novice drivers aged under 30 years old. To download the report visit www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/249282/novice-driver-research-findings.pdf.
The Big Lottery Fund has announced a £3.85million partnership between UK music and entertainment brands and youth sector organisations. UK Youth, Capital FM and its charity arm Global Charities, BPI, The BRIT School and The BRIT Awards, will work with young people aged 14 to 24 years old, delivering a programme of community outreach and skills development with the aim of empowering and inspiring participants to fulfil their potential and achieve personal goals. For further information visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/press-releases/uk-wide/231013_uk_groundbreaking-musical-collaboration.