Daily roundup 5 January: Troubled families, youth justice, and young carers

The Troubled Families programme has helped nearly three quarters of the 120,000 families initially targeted, latest government figures show. By the end of October 2014, 85,300 families had been “turned around” by working with councils to tackle truanting, worklessness and anti-social behaviour under the scheme. Bristol and Nottingham councils were praised for helping all of their troubled families.


The head of the National Offender Management Services (NOMS) has criticised the chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform for "inaccurate and irresponsible comments" about staff being moved between young offender institutions (YOIs) to cover staff shortages. In a letter, Michael Spurr, chief executive of NOMS, said Frances Crook's claims that staff shortages would mean young people being locked up for three weeks over Christmas were "completely inaccurate".


A consultation has been launched by the Department for Education on how new rights for young carers will be implemented. From April 2015, all young carers will be entitled to an assessment of their needs from the local authority. the consultation will gather views on regulations relating to when and how assessments should be carried out.


Chef and author Lorraine Pascale has been appointed as the government’s first fostering ambassador. She will use her personal experiences to champion fostering, and encourage more people to consider becoming a foster carer. Pascale said: “It is a cause that is extremely close to my heart and I know from personal experience how critical and important this work is.”


A study has found swapping one sugary snack a day for a healthier alternative can reduce sugar intake by nearly half. Public Health England found a 40 per cent reduction in the sugar intake among families who followed their guidelines after one month, the Telegraph reports. The study follows concerns over the number of children consuming more sugar than their recommended daily allowance.