Child database under fresh attack after discs debacle

By Mithran Samuel and Maria Ahmed

Children’s secretary Ed Balls has ordered an urgent independent review of security surrounding the planned database of all children in England in the wake of the child benefit discs scandal.

Mary MacLeod, chief executive of the National Family and Parenting Institute, questioned whether the database, known as ContactPoint, should be dropped.

Source:- The Independent Monday 26 November 2007 page 6

Vulnerable pupils are ‘stars’ after three years at boarding school

Evidence published today suggests that children from deprived homes can succeed at boarding school, adding weight to a government plan for 2,000 children in care to do the same.

A report on 97 children placed by the Royal Wanstead Children’s Foundation found that after three years in boarding schools most children were performing better than the average for their age. Seventy per cent had emotional problems, 60% had been exposed to abusive, threatening or violent behaviour in the home and most were in the care of mothers with serious mental or physical health problems.

Source:- The Independent Monday 26 November 2007 page 13
 
New court to help mothers at risk of losing their children

The first family drug and alcohol court in the UK is formally launched today, based on a US model that has proved successful in helping parents fight addictions and keeping families together.

Source:- The Guardian, Monday 26 November 2007, page 12
 
 
Deportation battle for footballer who fled death from secret society

Footballer Alhassan Bangura faces an asylum hearing in west London that could see him deported to west Africa, where he fears he will be killed by members of a secret society.

Source:- The Guardian, Monday 26 November 2007, page 13
 
 
Attorney-General set to scupper plans to make gay hate a crime

Government plans to criminalise the stirring up of hatred against gays and lesbians are in disarray because of a Cabinet split over the need for such a law.

Source:- The Times, Monday 26 November 2007, page 4
 

‘Foster boarding’ gives deprived children best chance to excel

Vulnerable children achieve more by attending boarding school during term and spending their holidays with foster parents, a leading charity says.

Source:- The Times, Monday 26 November 2007, page 21
 
 
Juries to be warned of rape victim ‘myth’

Ministers will outline plans this week to boost the rate of convictions in rape cases by countering myths that may sway juries in cases of sexual assault.

Source:- The Times, Monday 26 November 2007, page 23
 
 
Money for special needs pupils ‘being misspent’

Money intended for children with special educational needs is being misspent by schools, it is claimed today.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 26 November 2007, page 6
 
 
Foreign children ‘pushing schools to breaking point’

An influx of migrant children is changing the culture of schools and pushing some to “breaking point”, the National Association of Head Teachers will claim this week.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 26 November 2007, page 6
 
 
Prescriptions for hyperactivity drugs triple in three years

The use of powerful mind-altering drugs to treat supposedly hyperactive or badly behaved children has tripled in just seven years, despite fears over harmful side-effects.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 26 November 2007, page 6