Daily roundup 26 January: Health inequality, SEN reforms, and DCS retirement

Nearly one in five children in the UK is living in poverty and inequality is blighting their lives, with those from the most deprived backgrounds experiencing much worse health compared with the most affluent. A study by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health found that despite some improvements in the health of UK children over the last decades, there is clear disparity with Europe.


Many children with speech and language difficulties are not getting the support they need, a survey conducted by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists has found. The survey found mixed progress in implementation of government reforms, with children who are yet to be transferred onto new education health and care plans not getting the support they need, due to a "refocus of resources" to support children who have been transferred.


Birmingham Council's director of children's services Peter Hay has announced that he will retire. Birmingham Council said that Hay, who as strategic director for people at the local authority has responsibility for both adults and children's services will take early retirement in July although he will stand down from his role as strategic director for people on 31 March.


A "loophole" that allows sports coaches to legally have sex with 16- and 17-year-olds in their care must be closed by the government, the NSPCC has said. The BBC reports that the NSPCC is concerned that the role of sports coach, and other youth workers, falls outside the legal definition of a "position of trust".


A review of the care of disabled children and young people with challenging behaviour and complex mental health needs, is calling for urgent action at a national level to prevent these children being "institutionalised" at an early age. The review, conducted by Dame Christine Lenehan of the Council for Disabled Children on behalf of the Department of Health, found that despite numerous government initiatives, there is not a clear vision for the treatment of children with complex needs involving challenging behaviour and a mix of mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism.