Daily roundup 25 August: School nurses, secure placement, and mermaid tails

Children's lives are being put at risk because of the shortages of school nurses, experts have warned. The Guardian reports that austerity measures have resulted in more than 500 school nurses leaving the profession without being replaced. The Royal College of Nursing said the loss of school nurses was leaving teachers without vital training and pupils without necessary support. It is calling on the government and local authorities to ensure school nursing services are properly funded.


A senior judge has expressed concern after being told there is no secure accommodation anywhere in the country for a "troubled and dangerous" teenager believed to be involved in serious gangland activity. The Guardian reports that Mr Justice Hayden said the case of 14-year-old F, who cannot be identified, raised "a dilemma you would not expect to see in a mature society in 2017". He has directed that a copy of an interim judgment he gave on Thursday be sent to the Education Secretary, Justine Greening.


Lifesaving groups are warning about a new "mermaid" craze over fears children could drown. The Metro reports that children across the UK have started wearing mermaid tails to swim in special classes, conventions and competitions. The Royal Life Saving Society UK has warned parents to only let their children wear the tails in organised classes, that are run and monitored by qualified professionals.


Police missed a number of chances to bring paedophile Ian Watkins to justice sooner, an investigation has found. The BBC reports that between 2008 and 2012, South Wales Police failed to adequately act on eight reports and three intelligence logs from six people about the former frontman of rock band Lostprophets. Watkins received a 35-year sentence in 2013 for 13 child sex offences.


Children, staff and families from Busy Bees nurseries across the UK have raised more than £14,000 for charity after walking a combined distance of 19,552,200 steps. the money will go to the nursery chain's national charity partner of the year, Meningitis Now.