Daily roundup 2 October: Mental health, taxi drivers, and children's centres

Children are increasingly turning to the internet and friends to seek help for mental health problems instead of doctors. The Times reports that children's commissioner for England Anne Longfield, described it as a "desperate" situation and said it is due to children having a lack of confidence in GPs.


Taxi drivers in Middlesbrough will undergo compulsory training to help prevent child sexual exploitation (CSE). The North East Gazette reports that the move comes in response to the review of CSE in Rotherham that raised issues with the way taxis are licensed.


Children's centres in Dudley will host extra health services following the transfer of commissioning of public health services for under-fives to local authorities yesterday. The Express and Star reports that Dudley Council will consider moving services including midwifery, health visitors and family support workers.


A record number of parents are lying and cheating to get their children into top state schools, a study has found. The Mirror reports that there have been 470 allegations of admissions fraud investigated in 2013, according to a Freedom of Information request.


There have been almost 200 recorded attacks on parents by under-18s in the Midlands over the past year, according to data released by police. The Express and Star reports that the youngest attacker was 12 years old, and police officers suspect the true number of attacks is much higher.