Daily Roundup 15 September: Child obesity, play ban, and social worker recruitment

The government will publish a strategy to combat child obesity later this year. The news was announced by public health minister Jane Ellison at Public Health England's annual conference.


A group of children living in social housing have been warned they could be evicted if they continue to play outside their homes. The Mirror reports that after residents complained they were too noisy, housing association chiefs told families that the children can only play in a 20ft square communal area outside their flats in Glastonbury, Somerset.


More than 90 new social workers will be recruited as part of a £6m bid to turn around children’s services in Sunderland after the local authority was rated "inadequate" by Ofsted inspectors in July. The Sunderland Echo reports that an interim director of children’s services, Steve Walker, has also been appointed, and will work with a government commissioner appointed to oversee improvements.


A children's home has been criticised after Ofsted inspectors found evidence of young people routinely return home late and often in the early hours of the morning, sometimes under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Crawley News reports that the home, run by Southern Adolescent Care Ltd, has been given until 29 September to show Ofsted it is addressing all the concerns raised.


Councils in Scotland will receive nearly £6m of government cash to help young people prepare for the world of work and get jobs. The BBC reports that the money, which is being provided by the Scottish government, will be used to strengthen links between schools, colleges and employers and support vulnerable young people.