Campaigners have been left “upset and angry” after the new Scottish government has decided not to proceed with the planned Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill. The SNP-led Scottish government had launched a consultation in December 2023 on a proposed new Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill. They followed this up in 2025...
World Suicide Prevention Day 2026: Interrupt suicidal thoughts
Thursday 10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day 2026, with UK charities urging people to take action when they suspect someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts. One key message this World Suicide Prevention Day is that suicidal thoughts can be interrupted. The Samaritans say that almost 3 in 4 people who have experienced suicidal thoughts...
Mental health charity calls on PM to Support Prevention First
A leading mental health charity has called on the UK Prime Minister to prioritise a prevention-first approach when it comes to the nation’s mental health. The Mental Health Foundation has joined with 15 other mental health charities and organisations to send a clear message to Prime Minister Andy Burnham that the national conversation needs...
PM pledges to fix ‘broken social care system’
The Prime Minister has set out a new path to fix Britain’s “broken social care system,” pledging to transform it into “an integrated system that gives people security and dignity.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke at a care home last week where he committed to working across party lines to solve the problems facing...
HSE backs Farm Safety Week to tackle ‘poor health and safety record’
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is supporting Farm Safety Week 2026, helping to prove that the “poor health and safety record of the industry can change.” Farm Safety Week in the UK is being observed from 20th-24th July 2026 amid ongoing concerns for the safety of young children and older workers on farming...
Ofsted scraps ‘offensive’ guidance linking autism and extremism
Ofsted has dropped guidance for inspectors which linked autism and extremism after campaigners condemned it as “offensive,” “unfounded” and “clumsy.” The campaign, backed by public figures such as the naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham, has led to the Ofsted training manual used to teach inspectors being updated to remove this “unfounded and tenuous”...
New behaviour change framework for adult social care
A new competency framework has been launched to support behaviour change practice in the adult social care sector. Skills for Care partnered with the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and people working across care to develop the new Behaviour Change Competencies Framework for the Adult Social Care Workforce. The workforce development charity says...
Report reveals adult social care vacancy rate at lowest level in a decade
The latest report from Skills for Care reveals that the adult social care vacancy rate in England is at its lowest level in a decade as the workforce grows. Skills for Care published their latest Size and structure of the adult social care sector and workforce in England report last month. The annual report...
LeDeR 2024: Over 1 in 2 adults with a learning disability die before 65
The latest LeDeR reveals that more than 50% of adults with a learning disability die before they reach the age of 65. The annual Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people report (LeDeR) was published in July 2026 and reviewed deaths recorded between 2021 and 2024. It...
Almost a third of individuals experience mental health issues
A multi-country mental health survey has revealed that wellbeing continues to decline despite increasing public awareness. The 2026 AXA Mind Health Report found that more than 3 in 10 individuals have at least one mental health issue, while only 4 in 10 workplaces have mental health policies in place, highlighting the gap between individual...
HSE reveals 126 employees died at work last year
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the latest annual work-related fatalities for Great Britain. The latest statistics show that 126 people died while at work in 2025-26. In conjunction with the annual release of their statistics for work-related fatalities, the HSE has also published new analysis comparing the level and trend of...
Parents warned over AI child sexual abuse fears
Parents in the UK have been warned against putting images of their children on public display online amid growing fears about AI child sexual abuse. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) issued an alert and guidance for parents and carers earlier this month to make them aware of the...
Record number of children receiving support for SEND
The latest figures reveal that the number of children receiving support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England has reached a new record high. Records show that, between January 2025 and January 2026, the number of children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) rose sharply – by 12.5%. This is...
NSPCC warns about leaving children home alone ahead of summer holidays
The NSPCC says it has seen an increase in reports about children being left home alone. The national children’s charity says that contacts to its Helpline from adults concerned about children being left home alone or unsupervised increased by 11% over the last financial year, with concerns peaking during the school summer holidays. The...
10% rise in child protection concerns in sport
The NSPCC has reported a 10% rise in child protection concerns in sports. The national children’s charity said its confidential Helpline dealt with nearly 700 contacts from adults who had child protection concerns relating to children and young people taking part in sporting activities in 2025-26. This represented a 10% increase on the previous...