Daily roundup 16 August: Youth unemployment, domestic abuse, and sexual health

Youth unemployment fell by 17,000 in April to June 2017 compared with January to March 2017, latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show. The unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds was 12.2 per cent, a 1.4 percentage point fall from April to June 2016. However, data shows the number of young people employed in the second quarter of 2017 also fell by 25,000 compared with the first quarter of the year.


A counselling scheme for some domestic abusers cuts offending by a third, researchers say. The two-day course was more successful than other attempts to change behaviour, said Cambridge University. It places first-time offenders in group discussions in which they talk about their behaviour and anger management, the BBC reports.


Doctors have warned that a major shake-up of sexual health services in south London will lead to more unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Sexual health experts at St George's Hospital in Wandsworth have written to NHS and local council leaders branding the money-saving changes "unsafe, unworkable and unsustainable". They say plans to shed 30 per cent of staff and close a long-established clinic as part of a switch in providers will also undermine arrangements for safeguarding young people, reports the Guardian.


A new report features innovative approaches to supporting the health of young people developed by local authorities. The report by the Local Government Association features case studies from across England, each providing opportunities for learning for local government leaders.


The Department for Education has published a summary of small-scale research projects it has commissioned over the past three months. The studies, most of which cost £15,000 or less, cover a range of key policy issues affecting children and family services.   


A company has called on education chiefs to ban children under the age of 16 from bringing mobile phones to school. StemProtect.co.uk says that allowing children to use mobile phones in primary and secondary schools could damage their education and mental health.