Daily roundup 18 October: Mental health, drinking, and youth work cuts

A £15m fund to better support people at risk of experiencing a mental health crisis has been launched. The Department of Health said that the Beyond Places of Safety scheme will improve support services for those needing urgent and emergency mental healthcare. This includes conditions such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders that could cause people to be a risk to themselves or others.


At least 30 per cent of parents admit to being "tipsy" or drunk around their children, research has found. The Guardian reports that a study led by the Institute of Alcohol Studies found that even moderate drinking by parents can leave children feeling embarrassed or worried or lead to their bedtime being disrupted. The findings have prompted calls for parents to think more carefully about their alcohol consumption and for the government to overhaul official advice about when and how much people should drink.


Youth workers in Dudley could be made redundant as part of cost-cutting proposals to make services for disabled children completely voluntary-run. The Express & Star reports that 17 support workers are facing the prospect of losing their jobs after the council entered discussions with them over a shake-up of youth services. The staff currently help provide support classes for children and young people with a range of disabilities, which help to give parents respite and allow children to mix with others.


A prison officer accused of threatening and assaulting a teenager at a youth jail has been cleared of misconduct in public office. Kent Online reports that Alexander Williams was alleged to have thrown 15-year-old Nico Elliott against the wall of his room, pinned him down on his bed and pressed his forearm against his chest. But a jury took just 20 minutes to clear him of the charge.


Children's centres across Cambridgeshire face £900,000 of funding cuts following the approval of proposals to shake up the network. Cambridge News reports that after a heated debate, members of Cambridgeshire County Council voted through the plans by 31 votes to 22.


People will no longer be charged for calling the government's Universal Credit helpline after criticism from MPs and campaigners. The BBC reports that Welfare Secretary David Gauke said the helpline, charged at local call rates which could be up to 55p a minute, would be made free in the coming weeks.