The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its annual State of Care report, which reveals a health and social care system under “severe strain.” The care watchdog has warned that a lack of funding for community services threatens the proposed shift towards care outside of the hospital environment and also risks an “erosion” in...
Government urged to end physical punishment against children
High profile campaigners have signed a letter urging the government to end physical punishment against children in England. The letter has been signed by a powerful coalition of nearly 300 public figures alongside parliamentarians, academics, health professionals, charities and other organisations. They are demanding urgent legislative change, removing the legal right for adults to...
Is the idea of an autism spectrum misleading?
The latest thinking about autism suggests the idea of a single autism spectrum may be misleading, outdated and unhelpful. A concept which has shaped thinking around autism since the 1980s, the idea of a single autism spectrum, ranging from mild to severe, is now being called in to question by researchers and many people...
Are AI chatbots a threat to child safety?
The widespread adoption of AI chatbots among young people has sparked serious concerns about their impact on child safety. Across the pond, seven technology firms have been questioned by a US regulator about the way their artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots interact with children, and how they can ensure child protection. The Federal Trade Commission...
Proposals to improve SEND system in England
A committee of MPs has set out a 48-point plan to solve the SEND crisis in England, with proposals for national SEND standards and mandatory training. The Parliamentary education committee published a report in September 2025 which recommends a series of policies to improve SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) support in education. The...
Mental Health in the UK 2025
Download our summary of Mind’s Big Mental Health Report 2025: key findings, challenges, and actions needed to improve mental health in the UK....
1,000 children contact Childline about anxiety each month
Childline has revealed that, on average, over 1000 children reach out to them every month to discuss problems with anxiety. The confidential charity helpline delivered 12,543 counselling sessions relating to anxiety last year, making this the most common mental health concern that children and young people contact them about. Counselling sessions centring on anxiety...
HSE finds ‘serious gaps’ in workplace hearing protection
Recent inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed serious gaps in workplace hearing protection. Britain’s health and safety watchdog said that 3 in 4 noisy workplaces demonstrated significant failings in workplace hearing protection, with inspectors uncovering issues with employee training and equipment management. HSE’s latest inspection campaign found that 1...
Restart a Heart Day raises awareness of the importance of learning CPR
Restart a Heart Day takes place on 16th October each year to raise awareness of cardiac arrest and the importance of learning CPR. Led by the Resuscitation Council UK and supported by the British Heart Foundation, alongside other national charities, NHS England and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, Restart a Heart Day aims...
Consultation launched into mental health in construction
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) recently launched a consultation into mental health in construction. The CLC decided to publish the consultation after mental health was identified as a priority focus area for the construction industry at its Health, Safety and Wellbeing Summit in July this year. They want to create a working environment within...
HSE spot inspections target occupational asthma risks
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new targeted inspection initiative to tackle occupational asthma risks. Britain’s health and safety watchdog will carry out targeted inspections of 1,000 motor vehicle repair businesses across the nation to ensure they are properly managing the risks of occupational asthma. The HSE explains that skilled vehicle...
Skills for Care campaign highlights how ‘data drives change’ in care
Skills for Care’s latest campaign aims to showcase how data drives change in the adult social care sector. Throughout October, the Data Drives Change campaign will highlight the important role that data plays in raising awareness of social care and shaping care sector policies. The national adult social care workforce development charity says that...
Tragic death reveals crisis in the care of people with learning disabilities
Families and campaigners are speaking out after the tragic death of a man with learning disabilities has exposed a crisis in the care of people with learning disabilities and autism. Bereaved families of people with learning disabilities have warned that people are dying due to a lack of NHS training and staff shortages. Adrian...
Celebrating a Digital First: Self-Advocacy Wins
First Response Training works with co-trainers who are autistic and/or have a learning disability. They are experts with lived experience and absolutely vital in the development and delivery of our autism and learning disability training courses. They share their stories, insights, and expertise to help others understand neurodiversity and how to support neurodivergent people....
World Mental Health Day 2025: protecting mental health amid global instability
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October each year. For 2025, the focus is on protecting mental health and wellbeing in times of global instability. The official annual theme is set by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). For World Mental Health Day 2025 the theme is: ‘access to services –...