Other youth related news and resources
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner has published Common Principles for a Child Friendly Complaints Process, based on the views, experiences and voices of children and young people as well as professionals. Key principles include that all complaints from children and young people should be seen as positive, valuable service user feedback and considered from a safeguarding perspective; and that written response to complaints should be timely and where possible discussed with the young person. To download the publication visit www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_717.
The Ministry of Justice has published the most recent Youth Custody Report - July 2013. Key figures include that the population of the secure estate for children and young people, for under 18 year olds was 1,278 in July (an increase of 41 from the previous month and a decrease of 456 from the previous year). To download the full report visit http://childrenengland.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=14466961e06a4f2dfbaae3cf8&id=44299bebe3&e=f53ead63a5.
The Department for Education has published statistics on looked-after children in England, which show that for the year ending 31 March 2013, there were 68,110 looked-after children, an increase of two percent compared to 31 March 2012 and an increase of 12 percent compared to 31 March 2009; 50,900 were cared for in a foster placement, representing 75 percent of all children looked after at 31 March 2013; and 330 looked-after children who were in care at 16 were living with foster carers by the age of 19 between March 2012 and March 2013, meaning that only percent of this age group of looked-after children remained in foster care after their 18th birthday. To view the full statistics visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption.
A Freedom of Information request by the BBC has revealed how councils are illegally housing teenagers in B&Bs. Key points include that 119 out of 208 councils said that they had placed 16 and 17 year olds in a B&B overnight, despite statutory government guidance saying that this should not happen “even on an emergency accommodation basis”; and 871 young people aged 16-17 were placed in B&Bs in 2013 with social services departments accommodating another 525 young people.
Relationships charity OnePlusOne and YouthNet have published the results of a survey on Friends with Benefits. The survey of 1,000 16 to 24-year-olds found that 33 percent of young people have had a ‘friend with benefits'; 53 percent of those who admitted to having had regular sex with a friend were secretly hoping it would develop in to something more serious; and more young men (36 percent) than women (29 percent) report having had a friend with benefits. For further information visit www.oneplusone.org.uk/2013/09/17/a-third-of-young-brits-have-had-a-friend-with-benefits-but-secretly-hoped-for-love.
The Transitions Info Network has re-launched its website, which aims to provide information about transition to disabled young people, parents, carers and professionals. In addition to a section for young people, the site includes events, resources and the current issue of network's magazine 'My Future Choices'. To access the website visit www.transitioninfonetwork.org.uk.