Daily roundup 8 April: Self-harm, disability support, and gender identity

There has been an increase in the number of young people in Greater Manchester being treated for self-harm, according to figures obtained by the Manchester Evening News. The data shows a rise of 58 per cent between 2010 and 2014 in the number of 10 to 19-year-olds admitted to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital because of self-harm. However experts believe the figure may be much higher.


The only after school club for special needs and disabled children in the country is facing closure, the Birmingham Mail reports. Playwell, which is run by charity Parks4Play, could face closure in July due to funding problems. Laura Watts, of Dens of Equality, which helps to fund-raise for the charity, said:  “Unfortunately the barrel is almost dry and unless we can secure more funding within the next two weeks the club will have to close.”


Counselling sessions on the NHS are being used by children as young as three-years-old to discuss transgender feelings, the Daily Mail reports. Figures show 77 children under the age of 11 were referred to the country’s only specialist centre for children with gender issues, up from 19 in 2009/10. The figures include two children aged three, and 47 children aged five or under.


The teenage brother of Britain’s youngest convicted terrorist may have joined Islamic State in Syria. According to the Express, 17-year-old Hassan Munshi - whose brother Hammaad was jailed in 2008 aged 15 - and next-door neighbour Talha Asmal, also 17, are believed to have caught a flight from Manchester Airport to Dalaman in Turkey. The police believe the boys have already crossed into Syria.


Dozens of historical child abuse allegations relating to the Church of England have been made, an ITV News investigation has revealed. The number of complaints made to survival group MASCAS since September 2014 stands at 164, while the number of new complaints made against the Church of England stands at 136.