Daily roundup 1 April: Special needs provision, video games, and outdoor activities

Funding cuts have “drastically damaged” special needs provision in England, according to the leader of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, BBC News reports. Speaking at the union’s annual conference, Mary Bousted, said: “We fear many schools and colleges are unable to meet their legal obligations for disabled pupils.”


Playing violent video games is no more likely to be damaging to young children’s behaviour than those considered harmless, a study has claimed. The Telegraph reports that the length of time young people spend playing games, rather than their content, could have an effect on their behaviour or school performance.


Dozens of outdoor activities enjoyed by generations of children are dying out among young people today, research has found. The Daily Mail reports that a study found more than two-fifths of today’s children have never "squelched through mud", while two-thirds have never made a daisy chain.


Hertfordshire County Council will recruit around 80 new staff with some of the funding it received through the Department for Education's innovation fund. The Herts & Essex Observer reports that the authority will use part of the £4.86m it received from the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme to hire new staff to work alongside health, probation services and the police.


Charity YouthNet has appointed Chris Martin as its new chief executive. Previously YouthNet’s director of operations, Martin will take over from Emma Thomas. He said: “The challenges facing young people in the UK have never been tougher and the need for our services is greater than ever.”


A children’s charter has been launched by health campaigners with the aim of creating a tobacco-free generation in Scotland within two decades, Herald Scotland reports. The charter created by Ash Scotland asks organisations that work with young people and their families to sign up to six principles. Organisations are also asked to help protect children from the harms of smoking by pledging to review their policies and practice.