News round-up: Social workers slam ‘harassment’ of 13-year-old dad

Social workers fear media frenzy will damage Alfie’s family
Social workers claim that a media frenzy is damaging the welfare of “father at 13” Alfie Patten, his one-time girlfriend Chantelle Steadman, 15, and her newborn daughter. Child protection officers at East Sussex County Council have written to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) to complain about harassment of the teenagers.

Read this story in The Independent

The worst is yet to come
Charities are still surfing the wave of the boom years of economic growth. But new figures show that the recession will soon hit hardest those who are reliant on sales and contracts for income.

Read this story in The Guardian

Beyond the limits
Kevin Brennan, minister for the third sector, tells Alison Benjamin why the government’s rescue plan will make charities more resilient and better able to deliver huge swaths of public services, without losing their independence.

Read this story in The Guardian

Small step on to the ladder
Affordable homes for young key workers have always been in short supply. But a private developer has a pocket-sized solution

Read this story in The Guardian

Heather Boyd breaks down as court is told of 36 injuries to son
A mother accused of assisting in the death of her 23-month-old son has heard the full extent of the dozens of injuries that he suffered.

Read this story in The Times