Professor Sally Holland has been named as the new children's commissioner for Wales. The BBC reports that Holland, the director of the Cascade children's social research centre at Cardiff University, will replace current commissioner Keith Towler when she takes up the post in April.
A paediatric consultant sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually abusing young cancer patients in his care has been banned from practising for life. The Mirror reports that a tribunal ruled that Myles Bradbury is unfit to practice as a doctor, claiming that he "sought a post in paediatrics" in order to carry out the offences.
A decision to extend a rebate on energy bills for poor families for another year has been welcomed by The Children's Society. The charity has said that the government's extension of the Warm Home Discount – worth £140 – is an important step for low-income families who are struggling to keep their children warm.
New research shows that thousands of parents and carers are suffering physical and verbal attacks from their children. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Brighton, found that 10 per cent of families suffer child-to-parent violence, but the attacks are often kept secret, with adults feeling too ashamed or embarrassed to report them.
Guidance advising commissioners on how to maximise the impact of mentoring programmes designed to prevent youth and gang violence has been launched by the Early Intervention Foundation. The Advice for Those Commissioning Mentoring Programmes pack, produced in partnership with the Home Office, features a range of best practice and guidance.
The findings of a survey by the Carers Trust suggest that young carers are less happy, more worried and sadder than their peers. The study by the charity, which has recently launched a new online community for young carers, also found that young carers are much more concerned about their future and their families than their peers.
