How We Help Professionals National News & Updates Below: Domestic Abuse Bill: Key measures for children and sector reaction NYA launches free Safeguarding resources for Youth Workers Children's Commissioner begins major consultation to shape post-COVID future for children Facebook encryption plan ‘must not hamper child protection’ New ADCS President calls for 'Long Term Plan' for children and young people TikTok sued for billions over use of children's data Drug Gangs ‘using social media to groom young people’ Fifth of UK victims of criminal exploitation are children, research reveals New dedicated mental health services for new expectant and bereaved mums Rates of lockdown loneliness highest among young people The Technical Issues in Charity Law report Tributes paid to ‘Giant of Youth Sector’ The Duke of Edinburgh OFSTED to launch sexual abuse review Supporting Families Programme Thousands of children in care risk missing EU Settlement Scheme deadline, Charity warns Children's Commissioner calls for 'rocket boost' for early years services Councils to provide 'start for life' offer under Leadsom proposals Government launches Supporting Families Programme and scraps 'Troubled Families' name Children's Commissioner launches 'once-in-a-generation' review of childhood NEET figures hit highest quarterly rise in a decade Proportion of NEET young men hits seven year high Data collected by UK Youth reveals that many youth organisations have been unable to meet an increased demand on their service during COVID-19 Disadvantaged pupils targeted in Governments £700m schools catch up plans Mental ill health will be the biggest problem facing young people by 2040, Doctors warn New £20m fund focuses on keeping children out of the criminal justice system No plans for emergency support, says charity minister Two thirds of youth organisations report increase in demand Building Back Better - reaching England's left behind children Education catch up plans across all UK nations 'do not go far enough' Minister commits to Youth Investment Fund but focus will be on 'innovation' Youth services are at a 'crucial point in history', YMCA researchers say Children's Commissioner for England criticises officials 'lack of understanding' of vulnerable children Anne Longfield's final speech as Children's Commissioner for England Coronavirus - Children's Experiences of Lockdown NSPCC Coronavirus: Deaf and disabled children Nursery staff call for training to deal with complex mental health needs of under fives Alex George named as Youth Mental Health Ambassador Young people fear unemployment in 'post COVID world', study reveals Youth Service Statutory Guidance review delayed by COVID-19 Careers Guidance and Training for disadvantaged groups among pledges to boost post-16 education Charity Sector calls for emergency support package Children's Commissioner - politicians must take child poverty 'out of the too difficult box' NEET young people 'unable to cope with life' amid pandemic, Princes Trust warns Uniformed youth work gives young people 'positive start' - multi-generational study finds VCSE's - A guide to working with Government Children's Commissioner - Remote Learning Huge rise in children seriously injured or killed during first lockdown, Government figures show NSPCC Coronavirus - Impact on Child Welfare and Schools Support for Care Leavers Companies House Update - a deal with the EU has been reached National Youth Agency - youth sector moves to red in the Readiness Framework Office of National Statistics - Coronavirus COVID-19 Round-up 06.01.2021 Plans to support vulnerable children set out as schools close amid 3rd COVID-19 lockdown Coronavirus testing for schools and colleges from January COVID-19 restrictions could set back children's development by six months, OFSTED warns Free childcare qualifications offered by Government as part of COVID-19 recovery Major children's rights report renews calls for youth work investment Postage rate increases from 1st January 2021 Councils roll out Government funded holiday hunger support COVID updated guidance from DfE re out of school settings HMRC Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - pay period reminder - closes midnight on 14th December to submit claims for November Cabinet Office: Coronavirus Winter Plan Councils tackle young children's development gaps Duchess of Cambridge reveals early years survey findings Duke of Edinburgh Funded places Prospect of COVID Christmas heightening anxiety for children, study finds Care review to be launched 'imminently' Children's Minister says Children's charity leaders call on Boris to tackle child poverty One tenth of charities could operate for just a few days if forced to rely on reserves Poor Diet: children 20cms shorter as a result, analysis says Sector leaders welcome Government u-turn on free school meals 'Toxic Lockdown' sees huge rise in babies harmed or killed Youth violence response based on race, class and gender stereotypes, young people say COVID-19 - Impact on Charities from NCVO PM says he will do more to help Charities, as public funding is paused by regulator COVID-19 Widening Disadvantage Gap Among Babies and Toddlers, research warns HMRC COVID-19 Support and Latest Changes A third of UK parents say their children's mental health has suffered during Lockdown Laptop allocations cut at some schools NYA publishes new Youth Work Guidance for Local Authorities Young people 'worst affected by post furlough unemployment' More than 500 Scout Groups face closure due to COVID-19 Urgent message from the Business Secretary: The way you hire from the EU is changing Early Years providers need funding to cope with second lockdown, sector leader says £76m National Tutoring Programme launches Children Drive Boom in Smart Speakers HMRC Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Changes Inpatient Mental Health Wards during COVID-19 Survey conducted in July 2020 shows 1 in 6 children having a probable mental health disorder CAFCASS reports significant increase in care applications Youth Work Leaders back calls for financial training for young people Depressed teens 'underachieve' in exams Home Office proposals could make Stop and Search of children easier Youth Endowment Fund launches 10 year strategy to tackle youth violence Care leavers at risk of 'Digital Isolation' as COVID-19 restrictions tighten Children 'must be priority' in COVID-19 planning Children's Commissioner young people's rights 'actively downgraded' during lockdown Education Committee launches home learning inquiry 'Exhausting' impact of COVID-19 on families with disabled children Kickstart Employment Scheme Lack of kinship support 'risks more children going into care' NYA launches new National Youth Work Curriculum A third of UK children hear racist comments at school Disadvantaged children 'at greater risk of poor mental health' due to COVID-19 Government-Commissioned report recommends paid community work for 100,000 young people Prince Charles: ' up to one million young people need urgent help' Use unspent billions to support 'desperate' childcare providers, says Alliance Coronavirus tests - labour calls for improved access for early years settings Exploitation by County Lines gangs increased during COVID-19 during lockdown, Government figures show Funding cuts leave poor schools 'badly placed' to deal with COVID-19 Vulnerable children will 'slip out of view' Commissioner warns Young People worst hit by impact of COVID-19 on jobs market, ONS reveals Charities anticipate 'bleak winter' as more families face financial crisis MP's launch inquiry into economic impact of COVID-19 on young people New guide to supporting migrant children through age assessments 1 in 8 children in care 'placed in unregulated settings' Parents raise concern over impact of school return on children's mental health Council leaders call for more funding as children' services referrals set to rise Migrant children need support of trained advocates, charities warn A third of girls 'won't post on Social Media without image enhancement', study finds Adolescents four times more at risk of physical abuse than younger children Child to parent violence 'increases during lockdown' Children exploited by gangs in lockdown 'most at risk of exclusion in September' Children raise concerns about impact of school return on Mental Health Out of The Pandemic - a road to recovery for our children Concern over young people's mental health during Lockdown Coronavirus - Boris Johnson says it is vitally important children return to class Teens anxiety levels dropped during Pandemic Children from across the UK ask Government Scientists their questions about Coronavirus Lockdown measures reduced risk of COVID-19, but had unintended consequences for children OFSTED to focus on impact of children's social care exemptions Young people have a key role in our nation's recovery Latest Guidance on Face Coverings from GOV.UK Low Pay and Long Hours Threaten Early Years Sector Pandemic takes toll on children's mental wellbeing Prioritise Children in Future Lockdown Plans Schools 'must come before pubs and restaurants' in future Service Cuts and Benefit Changes Hit Support for Families in Poverty Third of Youth Workers 'Not Trained' to Deal With On Line Harms, new survey warns Changing the system, not the child debate by DCS Improving support for parents in childhood development Children's Minister puts children and families at the heart of recovery Early Years funding allocation changes ICSA releases new guide for reopening Almost 1 in 3 charities might not survive NSPCC updated definitions on signs of child abuse National Youth Agency calls for youth workers in every secondary school catchment area ADCS Report - Building a Country that works for all children post COVID-19 Back schools with funding or risk 'spike in youth violence', report warns Managing Through COVID-19 Report Children and the COVID-19 Pandemic Coronavirus Mental Health and Wellbeing Report from Barnardo's Huge rise in reports of online child abuse images New focus on babies and childrens health as new review launches Safeguarding children at risk from sudden unexpected infant death Children's Commissioner wards 120,000 teenagers at risk of 'falling off the radar' Kickstart Jobs Scheme - what has The Chancellor promised for young people Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace Majority of children no longer need to shield National Lottery Community Fund announces £45bn Coronavirus partnerships Remote therapy could bring positive outcomes to young people after Lockdown Third of young people left without mental health support during Lockdown Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out of school settings Protective measures for out-of-school settings during Coronavirus All Schools in England to Return in September Mobilise Youth Workers to help return to school PM asks Danny Kruger to find out how charities can support COVID-19 recovery Schools eligible for Summer Food Fund Government unveils £350m tuition plan to help disadvantaged pupils catch up NEU Reveals Summer Catch Up Programme for Vulnerable Children COVID19 affects BAME children's mental health more than white peers County Lines gangs adapting to COVID-19 Lockdown, new report warns Supporting Young People and Parents - the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents, parenting and neglect Article 39 launches legal action against DfE relaxation of statutory duties Covid-19 increases risk of mental health issues in Under-5s New website for VCSE organisations #NeverMoreNeeded Seeing lockdown through an infant's eyes County Lines after Covid - a new threat? Extra support for children and young people's mental health services Half of disadvantaged pupils could stay at home as schools reopen Lockdown restrictions threaten youth groups Low demand for childcare puts sector at risk Reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission during the pandemic Groundbreaking Survey Concerns About Children's Mental Health During COVID-19 Crisis OFSTED Fast Tracks Children's Home Registrations in Response to Pandemic Social Workers to be placed in schools to support vulnerable children Children's Minister pledges funds for SEND Latest information on the Government Grant Fund National Data Standard for Youth Work Launches Children's Minister Pledges £37m for SEND budget Government announces £150m more in Coronavirus charity funding School closures and he's not getting up until 1pm Young people 'overwhelmed by panic and anxiety' during lockdown NCVO criticises the government CIPD Workplace Guide - returning after COVID-19 Coronavirus Increase in Crime and Cyber Crime - update from The Charity Commission New guidance launched to help Brits get back to work safely Quaranteened helping teenagers cope with lockdown Security Checklist for homeworking from ICO Charities need to articulate their role as we rebuild together Stepping up to prepare for a return to the 'new normal' The UK Governments COVID-19 Recovery Strategy Where to report and get support during lockdown Working safely during Coronavirus Charity calls on extra support for adopted children on return to school Coronavirus - separated families and contact with children in care Coronavirus support for bereaved children and young people Coronavirus Home-Schooling Helpline for parents launched Coronavirus Social Care Legislation DfE names projects to get emergency funding for vulnerable young people New insights into life under lockdown Responding to COVID-19 issues affecting children and young people Understanding the Nature of Modern Slavery Update on the Governments £750m Support Package for Charities Youth services must be part of lockdown exit strategy, urges NYA Children's Commissioner for England - Government must revoke changes to statutory duties We're All In This Together - Report from The Children's Commissioner COVID-19 Guidance for VCSE Organisations DfE Unveils Home Learning Support as fostered children stay away from school Early Years Sector in 'Jeopardy' after Government U-turn on Furlough Funding Government rejects call for more charity Coronavirus Funding Hundreds of Children Suffer Neglect and Abuse During Lockdown Local Government Association - sector support on COVID-19 Manage financial difficulties in your charity caused by COVID-19 NCS cancels summer programme in normal format Supporting Young People to Reduce Risk of Trauma Youth Work Services move on-line to protect vulnerable children Coronavirus - increased risk of fraud and cyber crime for Charities DFE Unveils Home Learning Support as Foster Children Stay Away From School Early Years Sector in Jeopardy After Government U-Turn on Furlough Funding Furlough Flaw in Scheme re Employees Agreement Not To Work Childline - Coronavirus Childrens Concerns Workers able to carry over some leave due to COVID-19 On-line Child Sexual Abuse What to report to the Charities Commission Coronavirus and amended rules around Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Dorset Council's latest advice Specific actions for social and community care staff visiting homes Other News UK Government publishes three new reports - case reviews England Youth Service and Knife Crime Violence Budget 2020 - key themes for businesses Councils face funding gap for care leavers Government publishes map of the UK showing regional spend Prioritse youth services to tackle knife crime Government launches charity safeguarding portal Transgender and charities UK Social Sector Health Check Report Children in Care Statistics Characteristics of Children in Need 2018-2019 Brexit and Charities Time to Protect the Volunteers Child Poverty statistics How to create a strong risk register New Programme to protect children at risk of exploitation Support Muslim Colleagues during Ramadan VCSE Learning on Safeguarding from NSPCC Adolescence mental health - managing the transition Being too harsh on yourself could lead to OCD and anxiety Exploring relationships with young people with SEND Quick introduction to VAT1 and VAT2 Six examples of good practice in care leaver support BREXIT for charities and Preparing for a No Deal BREXIT Charity Commission - Check and update your charity details Updated Government guidance to support trustee decision-making Data Protection - GDPR update, reference guide, assurance from the ICO