Other youth related news and resources
The Chancellor George Osborne delivered an update on the Government’s plans for the economy in the Autumn Statement. Key points for young people include that Government will remove controls on the number of students who can attend higher education institutions in 2015/16, allowing an extra 60,000 places a year; student loan debt will be privatized; and National Insurance Contributions for under 21s will be abolished from April 2015. For further information visit www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/autumn-statement-2013.
Youthnet have launched an app to makes it easy for young people to find their local support services. Stepfinder points users to the nearest support services in a range, provides directions to get there. It also allows young people to access reviews of others who have used the services and leave their own feedback. For further information visit www.stepfinder.org.
NCVYS has updated its factsheet How to find a training course, which is aimed at anyone looking for training connected to working with young people. The factsheet includes a list of possible sources of training. To download the factsheet visit www.ncvys.org.uk/UserFiles/Training/How_to_find_a_training_course_dec13.pdf.
The cross-party think tank Demos has published its report Sobering up, which found that 33 percent of 11 to 15 year-olds questioned had obtained alcohol in the previous four weeks. The report states that parents, friends and siblings who buy alcohol for children should be named and shamed and banned from local off-licences and face community service. To download the report visit www.demos.co.uk/publications/soberingup.
Public Health England has published a board game to help children and young people discuss sensitive issues such as sex, alcohol, smoking and drugs at their youth clubs. For further information visit www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1140921/youth-club-resource-tackles-sensitive-issues?WT.rss_f=Health+-+Disciplines&WT.rss_a=Youth+club+resource+tackles+sensitive+issues.
The UK Youth Parliament has chosen 'votes at 16' as its national campaign for 2014. 'A curriculum to prepare us for life' was also chosen as the UKYP's priority campaign for England. These motions were two of five debated by the UK Youth Parliament in the House of Commons chamber on Friday 15 November, chaired by the Speaker Rt Hon John Bercow MP. For further information visit www.byc.org.uk/news/youth-parliament-calls-for-the-voting-age-to-be-lowered-to-16-in-all-public-elections.aspx. On the 12 February 2014 the Votes at 16 Coalition will be holding a lobby of parliament. The Coalition wants all Votes at 16 supporters to come along and help them generate support amongst MPs and members of the House of Lords. The day will consist of workshops, press events and directly lobbying representatives. To book a free place visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/votes-at-16-lobby-of-parliament-tickets-6674153573.
The National Literacy Trust has published Children and Young People's Writing in 2012. The third annual literacy survey of 35,000 8-16 year olds shows that 30.2 percent of boys and 17.3 percent of girls say they never or rarely write outside of class; 20.9 percent of boys compared with 8.6 percent of girls say that they do not enjoy writing at all; and 30.6 percent of boys compared with 21.7 percent of girls agree that "if you can use a spellchecker there is no point in learning spelling and grammar". For further information visit www.literacytrust.org.uk/news/5721_simon_mayo_supports_drive_to_get_boys_writing.
Youth Access have published a briefing aimed at overcoming a lack of awareness and understanding amongst Higher Education Institutes and Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services of the role and contribution of youth counselling services. The briefing, produced by a working group of youth counselling providers, can be downloaded at http://youthaccess.org.uk/uploads/documents/VCS_and_CYP_IAPT_Briefing_for_HEIs_Final_ed.pdf.
The NDCS is recruiting young people aged 12 to 18 who have an interest in making things better for deaf young people to its next Young People's Advisory Board. For further information visit http://youngpeople.ndcsbuzz.org.uk/go.php?structureID=S49FAE2CCD445F&ref=P4F8FD10FDE107&utm_content=buffer0a57e&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer.