Daily roundup 22 September: Medway STC, mental health, and care applications

Officers investigating reports of abusive behaviour alleged to have taken place at a secure training centre (STC) in Medway, Kent, have now charged a total of eight people, Kent Police have said. The charges, which include misconduct in a public office and taking photographs and making recordings inside a prison contray to the Prison Act, comes as a result of a BBC Panorama investigation into Medway STC in Rochester earlier this year.


Neglect by one of the largest mental health trusts in England contributed to the death of a 15-year-old, a coroner has said. The BBC reports Chris Brennan died at Bethlem Royal Hospital, south London, in August 2014. He was admitted six weeks before for incidents of self-harming. The coroner found a lack of risk assessment and an up-to-date care plan had contributed to his death.?


Former MP John Hemming, who chairs the Justice for Families group, has said the recent rise in care applications is linked to the government's drive to boost adoptions. The Independent reports more than 2,700 babies under the age of one and 6,070 children aged one to four were taken into care last year - with two-thirds of the latter being adopted. Hemming said the figures are a direct result of government pressure on social workers to increase adoptions.


More than 100,000 people have registered for the Home Office's free online training pack to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM). Developed in partnership with the Virtual College, the packs aim to give teachers, police, doctors, social workers, and border force staff the training they need to identify and assist girls who are at risk of FGM.


Young people in London are facing a confidence crisis, according to a report by children's charity Barnardo's. The London Evening Standard reports the charity found more than 80 per cent of 11- to 18-year-olds are lacking in confidence, with half fearful of not achieving their dreams, messing up their lives or not knowing what they want to do in the future. The findings come following interviews with 4,000 children and parents.