Daily roundup 13 April: Uniformed youth work, health, and Trojan Horse

International adventurer Bear Grylls will use the next four years to try and give young people the chance to “actively help shape and develop the future” of The Scout Association. Commenting on his reappointment as the UK chief Scout until 2018, Grylls said he plans to do all he can to “change the lives of even more young people”. He said: “I really want to give young people a powerful voice at the very heart of the movement so they can actively help shape and develop [its] future for the next 100 years.”


Children as young as 12 are seeking treatment for backache and neck problems because of an increase in inactive lifestyles and overuse of mobiles phones, experts have warned. A survey by the British Chiropractic Association found 45 per cent of those aged under 30 said they had back or neck pain, increasing from 28 per cent the year before. According to the Daily Mail, chiropractors have blamed an increase in the number of people hunched over playing with mobile phones and tablets.


Teachers and support staff linked to the Trojan Horse scandal in Birmingham could be banned from working in schools for life, the Birmingham Post reports. The claim comes following an investigation by the National College for Teaching and Leadership, which is looking into the activities of alleged Islamic hardliners at five schools. Up to 30 individuals are said to be under investigation, but the activities of another 70 could also be looked at.


Children’s centre staff could lose their jobs because of proposed budget cuts put forward by Salford Council. According to the Salford Star, the council is proposing to cut this year’s budget by £151,000, which would see £50,000 for childcare for the most vulnerable babies and young children cut and 3.5 staff posts axed. Last year, cuts of more than £1m were made to Sure Start children’s centres across the city.


Allegations of sexual assaults at the Aberlour House, the junior school at Gordonstoun school in Scotland, have been uncovered by an Observer Magazine investigation. One case has seen a victim come forward who was allegedly raped in a tent on a school camping trip at the age of 12 by a teacher. A spokeswoman for Gordonstoun has said the school will co-operate fully with police if necessary.


Children living with type 1 diabetes are nearly five times more likely to be admitted to hospital compared to their non-diabetic peers, according to a study. The statistics show young people living with Type 1 diabetes are more at risk of hospital admission as a result of their condition. Children from poorer backgrounds and those receiving outpatient treatment for their condition in a smaller sized treatment facility were also deemed at higher risk of being hospitalised.