OFSTED CALL FOR E-SAFETY  

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The new framework for Ofsted’s school inspections will require schools to teach e-safety in order to achieve a good or outstanding grade. This is part of an effort to ensure that schools keep up with the ever-changing digital world and recognise the importance of safe online behaviour.

PM CALLS TO END FGM  

Prime Minister David Cameron has called for female genital mutilation (FGM) to be stopped worldwide ‘within this generation’, while pressing for a similar end to forced child marriage. Cameron said that Britain has no ‘special magic’ to prevent the practice, and called for global action. Speaking at a global summit, the PM also unveiled measures to deal with FGM in England and Wales; one measure is that parents will face prosecution if they fail to stop their daughters having FGM.

ADULTS USE TEEN DATING APPS  

A report by The Independent has revealed that teenage dating websites have been used by adults as old as 60. The ChildLine survey revealed that 29 per cent of under-16s who use dating sites have been in touch with someone over 18. Claire Lilley, head of online safety at the NSPCC, said they were ‘deeply disturbed that sexual predators could use teen dating apps and websites to target young people.’

COST OF CHILD ABUSE  

A report from the NSPCC has estimated that child abuse ‘cost’ the UK £3.2bn in 2012. This cost comprises of health (including mental health), criminal justice services (including both the offenders and victims who later become involved with criminal activity), social care and loss of productivity to society. This figure remains an estimate as the NSPCC does not know exactly how many children in the UK experience sexual abuse.

GCSE GRADES RISE AS A–LEVELS FALL  

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Despite a fall in the proportion of students passing A–Levels, a record number of young people gained university places this year. Chief executive of the OCR examination board, Mark Dawe, said: ‘Students are savvy young people now. They are actually looking and saying, “Which A-levels are going to help me get into university?” I think that’s the trend we’ve seen over time, that savviness increasing year-on-year.’ Among students studying for GCSEs, 68.8 per cent of entries scored A*-C, up on last summer, helped by a steep rise in the number of people achieving passing grades in Maths.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES STUCK IN THE DARK AGE  

The Minister for Care and Support has described mental health services for young people as ‘not fit for purpose’ and ‘stuck in the dark ages’. Norman Lamb MP told the BBC that he wanted to modernise the provision of these services for children and young people. One health official described the situation by saying, ‘In children’s mental health, we usually have to make not the best but the least worse decision.’

CALL FOR MANDATORY REPORTING OF ABUSE  

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The CCPAS (Churches Children Protection Advisory Service) has called for the mandatory reporting of abuse to be made law, placing a legal obligation on those within organisations and churches to report known or suspected abuse to authorities. Simon Bass, CEO of CCPAS, said: ‘It is quite straightforward. The government needs to change the law as soon as practically possible to introduce mandatory reporting. Inquiries into abuse by celebrities and into practices in residential institutions show concerns were not reported. Mandatory reporting can be a catalyst to change the entire culture of safeguarding in this country.’

A survey by the Institute of Public Policy Research of 500 18 year-olds revealed their views on sex and pornography. Here are some of the more interesting results:  

61% said ‘Adults are out of touch with the relationships of people my age’  

68% want sex education from a trained expert  

46% agree that sending naked photos or videos is part of everyday life for teenagers  

77% of young women thought that pornography put pressure on girls to look a certain way 

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