Daily roundup 20 February: Early help, mental health, and braces

Three early intervention initiatives have been awarded £5.3m from a new fund launched by The Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The projects funded through the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund are Changing Futures North East in Hartlepool, the Mancroft Advice Project in Norwich, and Coventry Law Centre.


Mental health services for children must be prioritised more to tackle "complex and severe problems", a leaked government document has revealed. According to the BBC, a review by Department of Health officials and NHS England calls for a “national ambition” in addressing the issues.


Thousands of children in Wales are waiting for braces because of a lack of funding for orthodontic equipment. The BBC reports that 4,000 children in west Wales are currently waiting for braces. The British Orthodontic Society said delaying orthodontic treatment in youngsters can lead to more problems.


A couple have been fined £240 for taking their children on holiday during term time. The Daily Mail reports that Roy and Jenny Davies took their children to Corfu following a year in which a family member passed away and Mrs Davies underwent emergency surgery. The couple deemed their circumstances “exceptional”, but were taken to court by Somerset County Council.


Schoolchildren could be at risk of accidents if Newcastle City Council reduces funding at school crossing patrols, according to The Newcastle Chronicle. The reduction to services includes scrapping lollipop ladies and men.