Special needs pupils ‘need specialists’

Special needs pupils ‘need specialists’
Schools should cut the number of teaching assistants looking after children with learning difficulties and employ more specialists, the schools watchdog concluded yesterday.
Source:- The Times, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 24
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Sex equality law ‘threatens Catholic adoption agencies’
Roman Catholic adoption agencies that place hundreds of children each year could be forced to close if the goverment pushes through legislation aimed at ending discrimination against gays, Catholic bishops warned yesterday. They said unless the church was given exemptions from proposed regulations, the agencies would be penalised if they refused to place children with gay couples.
Source:- Daily Telegraph, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 14
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Mother wins support case
A mother who battled with the Child Support Agency to secure maintenance for her three children has won a test case victory in the House of Lords that will be mean self-employed absent fathers making higher payments.
Source:- The Times, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 2
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Graduates earning more in public sector
For the first time graduates starting jobs in the public sector are earning more, on average, than private sector counterparts.
The average starting salary in the public sector was £21,445, compared to £20,035 in the private sector.
Source:- Financial Times, Thursday 13 July 2006 page 3
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Killer fails to stop report release
Michael Stone, the murderer of Lin Russell and her six-year-old daughter Megan, lost his court attempt yesterday to bar the publication of a full report into his care and treatment.
Source:- The Times, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 25
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Half of patients face long waits for treatment
Half of non-emergency patients are waiting longer for hospital treatment than the government’s target of 18 weeks from GP referrral, figures from eight areas indicate.
The government has given itself until 2008 to meet the target.
Source:- Financial Times, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 2
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Lords open new door for bullying claims
Employers can be held liable for workplace bullying carried out by their employees under a Law Lords ruling yesterday.
They said that under the 1997 Protection Against Harassment Act employers can be held “vicariously liable” for harassment committed by an employee in the course of their employment, and could be sued for damages.
Source:- Financial Times, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 4
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Brain implant offers hope to paralysed
People who are paralysed may one day be able to operate artificial limbs, wheelchairs or computerised devices by thought alone, after scientists developed a brain implant for this purpose.
Source:- The Guardian, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 9
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Every child under two to get meningitis jab
Every child under two is to be given a jab to protect them against the most lethal form of meningitis from September this year, chief medical officer Liam Donaldson said yesterday.
Source:- The Guardian, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 10

Mayor’s power
Ken Livingstone is to get new powers as Mayor of London enabling him to force councils to build new homes.
Source:- The Times, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 2
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Fathers are out of the picture as lesbians get IVF
Minister announces shake-up of embryology law that will give single women the right to treatment.
Source:- The Times, Thursday 13 July 2006, page 8
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Scottish news
 
Child abuser among cases challenged over sentences
A babysitter who was jailed for three and a half years after sexually abusing a girl is one of six court cases being challenged by prosecutors for “unduly lenient” punishments.
Charles Kirk was jailed by Lord Dawson and also given a three-year extended sentence at the High Court in Glasgow after admitting punching the seven-year-old, head-butting her, restricting her breathing and groping her last July.
Source:- The Scotsman, Thursday 13 July 2006
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Link between exposure to smoke and bad behaviour
Children whose mothers smoked while pregnant begin to exhibit behavioural problems as early as 18 months of age, according to new research.
A study of 93 toddlers found those whose mothers had smoked were “significantly more likely” to be aggressive and stubbornly refuse to follow directions. They were also less likely to play with their mothers.
The researchers found that nearly all the toddlers with serious behaviour problems at the age of two had been exposed to cigarette smoke in the womb.
Source:- The Scotsman, Thursday 13 July 2006
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Welsh news

Family to meet Attorney-General to demand tougher sentences
The family of a girl kidnapped by a paedophile are set to call for a tougher sentence for sex offenders in a meeting with the Attorney-General.
The parents of Craig Sweeney’s three-year-old victim have accepted an invitation to meet Lord Goldsmith.
There was public outcry after Sweeney was jailed for life but told he could apply for parole in five years and 108 days.
Source:- Western Mail, Thursday, 13 July 2006
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Low-income families given £700,000 by assembly to buy school uniforms
Low-income families will continue to receive school uniform grants in 2007 the Welsh assembly has announced.
More than £700,000 has been put forward for the next academic year to help families who find it difficult to pay for uniforms.
Source:- Western Mail, Thursday, 13 July 2006
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Governor accused of sexual assault
The chairman of governors at a girls school appeared in court yesterday accused of sexually assaulting a young woman.
Labour councillor Idris Jones, 76, is alleged to have touched the young woman’s breasts and bottom before trying to kiss her.
Jones is chair of the board of governors at Aberdare girls school.
Source:- Western Mail, Thursday 13 July 2006
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