A research programme is working to develop an AI system that could revolutionise child mental health care. Dr Anna Moore is leading the project, based at the University of Cambridge, which is using cutting-edge technology to hopefully speed up the diagnosis of mental health conditions in children and identify those most at risk of...
Familial child sexual abuse to be probed by national review
A national safeguarding review has been launched into child sexual abuse within the family environment after a “concerning number” of cases. Safeguarding leaders launched the national review to examine cases in more depth and look at how practitioners and agencies could improve the identification, assessment and response to instances of child sexual abuse within...
Child cruelty offences have doubled in 5 years, says NSPCC
New data released by the NSPCC reveals that reported cases of child cruelty and neglect have doubled over the past 5 years. The data, obtained by the national children’s charity through a Freedom of Information Request to police forces in England, shows that there has been a 106% increase in recorded offences of adults...
Frontline staff most likely to face work-related violence
Working with the public can now be identified as one of the biggest risk factors for work-related violence. Workers in public-facing sectors such as retail, public transport and healthcare have reported frequent and sometimes very serious abuse in recent years. In fact, the British Retail Consortium have reported that violence and abuse against their...
New campaign supports digital confidence in social care
Skills for Care have launched a new campaign to improve digital confidence among social care workers. The workforce development charity is running its new campaign throughout November and December to support people working in the social care sector to feel more confident with using digital technology. Skills for Care hope that the ‘Improving digital...
HSE statistics reveal 2 million cases of work-related ill-health
Annual work-related ill-health and workplace injury statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this week show that almost 2 million British workers are suffering from work-related illnesses. The HSE’s annual statistics for 2022-23 also reveal that around half of reported cases of work-related ill-health are still due to mental health problems. The...
Farming safety focus of HSE inspection drive
The latest focused inspection initiative from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is part of a campaign to change Britain’s farming safety culture. Inspectors from Britain’s health and safety watchdog will visit farms across England, Scotland and Wales in the coming months to check for compliance with health and safety requirements and standards. The...
Stress: IOSH poll finds its an issue for majority of workers
A recent poll conducted by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) found that the majority of workers experienced stress in their job, but over half would not feel comfortable asking for support in the workplace. IOSH conducted the snap social media poll to mark International Stress Awareness Week last week (30th October...
People with learning disabilities face ‘widespread risks’ in hospital
A health watchdog has found that people with learning disabilities face “persistent and widespread” risks to their safety in hospital. The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) reviewed the care that people with learning disabilities receive and found that their safety is often compromised when they are admitted to hospitals in England. The HSSIB...
NHS England launches first anti-racism framework
NHS England has published its first ever anti-racism framework to improve experiences of care for racialised and ethnically and culturally diverse communities. The Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) was launched on Monday 30th October 2023 and is specifically aimed at supporting mental health trusts and providers to tackle systemic racism, become actively...
Childline: Over 100,000 children seek mental health help
Data released by the NSPCC reveals that over 100,000 children contacted Childline last year for help with mental health struggles. The confidential charity helpline delivered more than 105,000 counselling sessions on mental health and emotional wellbeing between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023 – over half of the total number of counselling sessions...
Online Safety Bill marks ‘new era for children’s safety’
The landmark Online Safety Bill has finally been passed and will soon be made law, marking what the NSPCC describes as “a new era for children’s safety.” The ground-breaking and “essential” piece of legislation was recently passed following years of campaigning by parents, survivors, MPs and charities and is set to transform the online...
Good Childhood Report: Cost-of-living crisis impacts wellbeing
The latest Good Childhood Report reveals widespread unhappiness among children, with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis having a marked impact on their wellbeing. This is the twelfth annual report published by The Children’s Society into the wellbeing of children and young people across the UK. The charity says that this year’s report reveals that too...
Training key to retaining care staff
Skills for Care has published its annual report into the state of the adult social care sector, and it reveals key factors for retaining care staff, including access to training and development. The annual State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England report covers the period from April 2022 to March...
World Mental Health Day focuses on the right to good mental health
It’s World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10th October 2023, and this year the global campaign will also mark the 75th anniversary of the organisation that founded it, the World Federation for Mental Health. Chosen through a global public vote, the official theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental Health is...