Daily roundup 23 October: Tax credits, mental health campaign and child sexual exploitation

The children's commissioner has criticised tax credit cuts and called for measures to reduce the impact changes will have on the poorest children. The Times reports that Anne Longfield is calling on the government to slow down the implementation of the changes, or offer additional support to families with a child under five-years-old.


A campaign to reduce the stigma of mental health problems in children has been launched by the government. The BBC reports that the campaign will involve urging young people and parents to talk more about mental health, using school visits and social media.


Police refused to attend a children’s home in the Midlands after a man was discovered hiding under a 17-year-old girl’s bed, it has been claimed. The Birmingham Mail reports that West Midlands Police has been accused of failing to properly tackle child sexual exploitation fears at the privately-run home in Solihull. The force said it has been called out 96 times since January to the property, and has made a complaint to Birmingham Council about the high level of call-outs.


The Education Endowment Foundation has launched a trial to assess if training nursery staff to build the maths skills of their co-workers can help develop the numeracy skills in disadvantaged three- and four-year-olds. The project – Maths Champions – will be delivered by National Day Nurseries Association and will include online training for staff.


Former Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett has been appointed as the first honorary patron of youth volunteering charity City Year UK. The announcement came as part of the charity’s fifth anniversary celebrations, of which Blunkett thanked the 680 young people who have joined City Year UK through a video message.


Guidance has been issued from the Youth Justice Board on working with young people with speech, language and communication needs. The guidance is aimed at practitioners and managers in youth offending teams and secure accommodation for young people.