Daily roundup 27 April: Mental health; county lines, and criminal responsibility

Almost one in five children could be at risk of mental health issues later in life, according to research. The Independent reports that nearly a fifth (19 per cent) of young people show signs of low self-worth and doubt their learning abilities - which a new report argues are strong indicators that a child's wellbeing is at risk.  Boys are just as likely to be vulnerable as girls, the report from GL Assessment found.


County lines drugs networks are increasingly recruiting children in provincial towns to sell drugs rather than trafficking youngsters from London and other major cities, research has found. The Guardian reports that analysis of case work with children involved with the distribution networks, which connect inner city drugs gangs to small towns, has shown that most are now recruited in the area where distribution ends, with young people from the city more often used to transport drugs.


The age a young person can be held responsible for their actions in the eyes of the law is to be examined by the Scottish Parliament's equalities and human rights committee. Although Scotland's current age of criminal responsibility, the lowest in Europe at eight years old, is set to be raised by the Scottish Government, the committee is seeking views on the new proposals.


Save the Children is to suspend bidding for UK government funding in the wake of the scandal over alleged sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviour by staff in the charity sector. The Guardian reports that the announcement follows the launch of a Charity Commission inquiry into the handling of sexual harassment allegations against two senior Save the Children executives in 2012 and 2015.


Current National Schools Commissioner Sir David Carter is set to retire in August the Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed. An appointment process to recruit a new commissioner will be announced in due course, the DfE said.