Daily Roundup 21 February: Teacher shortages, CSE definition and 'outstanding' hospital

The government is failing to take adequate measures to tackle "significant teacher shortages" in England, the education select committee has warned. The BBC reports that the group of MPs has called for a more active long-term plan to reduce the number of teachers quitting the profession.


Changes to the way child sexual exploitation (CSE) is defined make it difficult to protect all children at risk, a council has said. The Northern Echo reports that Darlington Borough Council said it is hard to protect children who are involved with "sexting". The government has recently changed the definition of CSE to include forms that occur through the use of technology, meaning a case does not always have to involve physical contact.


A specialist children's hospital has become the first in England to receive a rating of "outstanding" from healthcare inspectors. The BBC reports that Birmingham Children's Hospital was criticised eight years ago for having insufficient numbers of beds, operating theatres and trained staff. But now the Care Quality Commission has praised the NHS trust for "working effectively to provide the best care".


Parents angered by the potential closure of youth centres in Hounslow are taking action to make their voices heard. Getwestlondon reports that dozens of parents, children and members of the community will protest today against Hounslow Council's plans to close down at least three youth centres in the borough.


Muslim parents are sending their children to Christian schools to prepare them for life in modern Britain, a senior figure at the Church of England has said. The Telegraph reports that Nigel Genders, the church's chief education officer, said Muslim families see Christian schools as an attractive option because children will be able to integrate with the wider community from a young age.


A play exploring how professionals working with children respond to suspected cases of female genital mutilation is to be staged at various locations across the country. Children's charity Barnardo's is putting on the play Bloodlines in London, Gravesend, Leicester, Staffordshire and Manchester as part of a full day of training for school staff, social workers, children's centre workers and other professionals.


Clothing chain TK Maxx has signed up to a voluntary Home Office agreement to prevent the underage sale of knives. The government says that firms including Tesco, Lidl UK, Amazon UK, Wilko, Argos, Morrisons, Asda, Poundland, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Waitrose, Boots, Aldi, Co-Op and B&Q are already signed up to the scheme.