Daily roundup 22 September: Rotherham laptop theft, CSE and school holidays

The theft of a laptop containing the details of Rotherham child abuse victims was kept secret from those affected, The Rotherham Star reports. Information provided under the  Freedom of Information Act shows that 21 laptops were stolen from a Rotherham Council building in 2011, one of which contained details of victims and suspected abusers, including home addresses and dates of birth. But Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police bosses failed to tell abuse victims of the theft, the paper reports.


A HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report has raised concerns over the lack of understanding by Devon and Cornwall Police into the extent of child sexual exploitation. The report also found the protection of some children who regularly go missing from home was inconsistent, however inspectors were pleased to see a commitment to improving services for children in need of protection.     


The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to allow families to take children out of school during term-time to avoid expensive holiday costs. In a new motion passed at the party’s conference, the party argues headteachers should have discretion to grant up to 10 days absence a year.


Young people are taking on fake apprenticeships and finding out later on that they are not qualified, according to businesses and bona fide training providers. The BBC reports that the warning comes from responses to a consultation on plans to give apprenticeships legal protection.


An Adolescent and Young Adult Global Cancer Congress will take place in Edinburgh in December next year, it has been announced. Hosted by the Teenage Cancer Trust, the event will build on the charity’s previous international conferences and will allow delegates to share their experiences and best practice.


The pregnancy rate for girls under the age of 18 in Kent are at a record low, according to Office for National Statistic figures. Kent Online reports a total of 202 under-18s became pregnant in the county last year compared with 218 over the same period in 2013.