Daily roundup 7 October: Mandatory reporting, self-harm, and youth work

Staff working with children will be legally obliged to report known or suspected incidents of abuse under a new policy adopted by the Liberal Democrats. As part of a range of proposals to improve reporting of child abuse, the party also agreed to offer greater protection to whistleblowers reporting child abuse without fear of impact on their job. The party is also keen on a government campaign to ensure children feel confident about coming forward.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a report to support and guide professionals working with young people who self harm, individuals and their families, reports Sky News. Managing self-harm in young people is an updated version of the College’s 1998 report on self-harm, and makes 14 recommendations for practitioners on how best to support young people. These include the importance of treating young people who have self-harmed in a non-judgmental and respectful manner; that routine admission of 16- and 17-year-olds attending acute hospital is not expected; and the need for professionals to include an assessment of a young person’s digital life as part of clinical assessments.