News round-up: Ofsted failures and child death threats

Ofsted fails barrage of inspections

Ofsted is facing a crisis in public confidence as it comes under a series of attacks on its authority this week, with the watchdog accused of being “flawed, wasteful and failing”.

The children’s services inspectorate will be criticised today by service heads in every local authority in the country, headteachers’ leaders and in a damning forthcoming report by MPs on the government’s school accountability system.

Read more in The Guardian

Teenagers risk kidney failure in drug craze

Ketamine, a powerful tranquilliser used on horses, is being taken in growing number by young people in the UK, causing crippling health problems.

Some addicts have needed to have their bladders removed and must now wear catheters. Other users have suffered serious kidney problems, breathing difficulties, addiction, bouts of unconsciousness and trouble with urinating. The drug also involves a heightened risk of heart attack.

Read more in The Guardian

Row over plans to provide free marriage guidance counselling on NHS

Mr Burnham’s plans are part of a £270 million preventative mental health programme aimed at staving off severe illness and long term unemployment.

But doctors and patients’ groups have condemned the spending of up to £1,000 for each couple when money is desperately needed to provide treatment for conditions such as cancer and dementia.

Read more in The Telegraph

Thousands of children subject to death threats from fathers

A study of women subjected to serious attacks by their partners shows that during their abusive relationships, one in ten were issued with a direct threat that their child would be killed.

The findings, to be published this week, show that two thirds of those trying to escape abuse had children, most of whom were of primary school age or younger.

Read more in The Telegraph

Assisted suicide proposals ‘unacceptable in a civilised society’ – Roman Catholic bishops

Church leaders condemned aspects of the draft guidelines, drawn up by Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, as “unacceptable in a civilised society”.

They believe that they will leave sick, disabled or vulnerable people with less protection than the rest of the population and could even be seen as providing a “cloak for murder”.

Read more in The Telegraph