Daily roundup 2 February: Super heads, mental health, and work skills

Thousands of schools could face being taken over by the best head teachers, under plans set to be unveiled by the Prime Minister David Cameron. The Times reports that up to 3,500 "coasting" schools could be replaced as part of “an all-out war on mediocrity” in the education system.


A leaked email to NHS bosses has revealed a shortage in beds for young mental health suffers is so bad, young people are set to be admitted to adult wards. However the Mental Health Act states 16 to 18-year-olds should only be put into adult care in a “crisis situation”. Luciana Berger, shadow minister for public health, has blamed £50m cuts to children’s mental health services in five years, the Mirror reports.


More needs to be done to help young people develop their skills for the world of work, a senior business leader has said. Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclays Bank, has warned figures show the number of unemployed young people increased by 30,000, to 764,000 between September and November last year. The Express reports Jenkins is now calling on parents and teachers to help “the lost generation” learn the crucial skills needed to flourish in the work place. 


A 13-year-old girl was arrested twice on suspicion of selling other children for sex, according to data released following a freedom of information request. The Manchester Evening News reports that the girl was arrested on suspicion of causing or inciting a child aged between 13 and 17 into prostitution or pornography in 2011 - and again for doing so "for gain" later the same year.


The health of a mother before she conceives affects the chances of the child becoming obese later in life, according to a UK study. The study by the University of Southampton suggests that having a greater number of early life "risk factors" is a strong predictor of being overweight or obese in childhood, reports the Daily Echo. The data analysed came from 991 children taking part in the Southampton Women’s Survey – one of the largest studies of mothers recruited before pregnancy, along with their infants and children.


Young people with cancer can access a new online community set up by CLIC Sargent so they can share experiences and find information. the charity said members of the community can make friends, and, when necessary, support each other through difficult times.