Daily roundup 1 February: Religious extremism, body piercing, and domestic abuse

Religious extremists are using schools to narrow children's horizons and "pervert education", Ofsted's chief inspector has warned. The BBC reports that Amanda Spielman said some community leaders see schools as vehicles to "indoctrinate impressionable minds" - with extremist ideology in some cases. Ofsted inspectors are increasingly coming into contact with such extremists, she added. Spielman said she is asking head teachers to confront those who foster extremist behaviour.


Intimate body piercing for children has been banned in Wales amid fears it can lead to health issues and make young people vulnerable to abuse. The Guardian reports that under the law, which comes into force today, practitioners are not allowed to carry out or arrange intimate piercings including to the tongue and breasts on anyone under 18. Ears, noses, navels and eyebrows are not covered by the ban. Wales is the first UK country to introduce such a law.


A bill to criminalise psychological domestic abuse in Scotland is expected to be passed today, with some campaigners saying it "could change Scotland forever". The BBC reports that the Domestic Abuse bill, which has wide backing, creates a specific offence of "abusive behaviour in relation to a partner or ex-partner". This includes psychological abuse such as coercive and controlling behaviour as well as violence, but critics have claimed it could be difficult to gather sufficient evidence.


The Home Office is being urged by leading charities to reverse its decision to refuse asylum to a child slavery victim which would see him forced to return to the country from which he was trafficked. The Independent reports that the 19-year-old orphan was trafficked to the UK at the age of 10 and exploited in a cannabis farm, where he was forced to endure dangerous conditions and regular beatings.


Ofsted has appointed two new members to its board. The regulator said Dame Kathryn August and Pamela Scriven QC have been appointed to serve on the board for three years. Ofsted said August has extensive experience of secondary education, while Scriven has significant social care and safeguarding expertise.