Daily roundup 3 July: Mental health, Birmingham and Ofsted

Nearly 100 children were treated in adult mental health wards in England in the first four months of this year, an investigation has revealed. ITV News reports that if the rate continues, there will be a 12 per cent increase in the number of under-18s being treated alongside adults in 2015, despite the NHS accepting adult wards are not appropriate for children.


Birmingham City Council is failing to meet a number of performance targets relating to children's services. The Birmingham Mail reports that only 91 per cent of child protection visits are carried out with one month – four per cent below target – while only 67 per cent of children in care cases were reviewed within time scales – 28 per cent below target.


Ofsted closed down a nursery in Sailsbury for a week over fears that staff lacked the "necessary skills" to protect children from harm. The Sailsbury Journal reports that inspectors concluded there were not enough staff working with the children, and safeguarding measures had not been implemented properly. The suspension was lifted after a week when Ofsted was satisfied staff had taken the appropriate action.


Child exploitation is still common in Rotherham, a victim of abuse in the South Yorkshire town has said. The Telegraph reports that 23-year-old Sarah Wilson said authorities are still not effectively protecting children from abusers.


More than a third (35 per cent) of children in the UK have experienced dangers online while at home. The Mirror reports that a survey by online security company AVG Technologies found that despite this, a quarter of all parents have no plans to educate their children about online risks.