Daily roundup 20 September: Foster care, sexually harmful behaviour, and dogs

A group of foster carers have voted to form the first ever trade union for the profession. The BBC reports that the carers are concerned about their lack of employment rights, not being listened to when a child is removed from their care, and rates of pay.


Children should not be treated as "mini sex offenders" for behaviour such as sexting or other types of exploration which they are likely to grow out of, official guidance for teachers, medical staff and social workers advises. The Telegraph reports that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidance highlights the dangers of "stigmatising" young people who display sexually harmful behaviour with heavy handed interventions or constantly sending them off for assessments.


Workshops that aim to reach young pet owners with messages about how to care for their dogs and be responsible owners have been launched by animal charity Blue Cross and Durham Youth Offending Service. NE Connected reports that the workshops will aim to help dispel the negative image often surrounding unwanted bull breed dogs like Staffordshire bull terriers.


A leadership development programme aimed at finding the next generation of youth sector leaders has been launched. The six-month programme by Clore Social Leadership in partnership with 22 youth charities, including Girlguiding and the Scout Association, will see emerging leaders build on their collaborative skills and complete real-life leadership challenges.?


The number of children caught carrying knives inside schools across Birmingham and the West Midlands has nearly trebled in three years. The Birmingham Mail reports that in 2015/16 there were 41 young people caught with a weapon - a significant increase on the 14 that were caught in 2013/14.?


A well-known female genital mutilation (FGM) practitioner is trying to enter the UK, the Metropolitan Police has warned. The Independent reports that the force has launched a legal bid to block the woman, who is a Sierra Leone national, from entering the country and have applied for an FGM protection order and an inherent jurisdiction order.?