Daily roundup 2 June: Berelowitz, CSE raids, and police tasers

Former deputy children’s commissioner Sue Berelowitz has had her consultancy contract  cancelled after it was found to breach Whitehall rules. Berelowitz, who took voluntary redundancy from her role at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner in April, was rehired as a consultant to continue chairing an inquiry into sexual abuse at a rate of £960 a day for up to nine days a month. According to The Telegraph, her contract has now been cancelled because any spending by public organisations of over £20,000 on consultants must be approved by the Cabinet Office.


Eight men have been arrested in a series of dawn raids across Oxford as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation. The BBC reports that more than 100 police officers from Thames Valley Police carried out raids at eight properties across the city.


Children as young as 14 have had tasers fired at them in London, according to figures released by the Metropolitan Police. The Evening Standard reports that the Conservative group on the Greater London Authority have called for cameras to be connected to tasers to protect the most vulnerable Londoners.


A two-year-old boy has been removed from his parents after concerns were raised by health workers about the level of cigarette smoke and drug paraphernalia in the family home. The Guardian reports that health professionals told Judge Louise Pemberton the home was “dirty, smelly and unhygienic” and it was later decided the boy should be placed for adoption.


Politicians in Wales are set to vote on whether to ban smoking in cars when children are present. BBC News reports that if a new law is approved by members of the Welsh Assembly, offenders will face the prospect of £50 fixed-penalty fines from October.


The Scottish Government has announced a £1m investment in early years staff development. The BBC reports that the funding will be used to implement some of the recommendations of an independent review of early learning and the childcare workforce.


A 14-year-old victim of sexual abuse who killed herself at her children's home may have been selling sex to pay for legal highs, an inquest has heard. The Mirror reports that Danielle Formosa, who had been known to children’s services since the age of six, was not given a psychological assessment when she moved from secure into semi-secure accommodation two weeks before her death.


Children’s charity Coram has formed an adoption partnership with City of London Corporation to manage and deliver its adoption services. The charity said the partnership will look to "maintain a strong child-centred focus and improve care management and decision making, while increasing performance outcomes and ensuring quality outcomes".