Daily roundup: Mental health, youth unemployment, and deaf education

An inquiry into child and Adolescent Mental Health Services has been announced by the health select committee. The inquiry is being launched on the back of fears expressed by the chief medical officer over the extent of mental health problems among young people, and difficulties gaining access to appropriate treatment. The deadline for submissions is 19 March.

Youth unemployment has dropped according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. For the period between October and December 2013, a total of 917,000 16-to 24-year-olds were unemployed, down 48,000 on the previous quarter.

Deaf children are being failed by the British education system. The BBC reports that more than half of deaf children assessed by researchers from City University London had reading difficulties as severe as the problems faced by hearing dyslexic children.

Children’s homes bosses have written a letter to Education Secretary Michael Gove and children’s minister Edward Timpson demanding changes to the way Ofsted inspects premises. The letter states that “inconsistent” judgments threaten care homes’ ability to innovate and help children, especially those with complex needs.

A plan to increase free childcare is at the centre of a raft of reforms expected to be passed by politicians in Scotland today. The BBC reports that the Children’s Bill will result in an increase in free childcare for three, four and vulnerable two-year-olds, from 475 to 600 hours, from August.

And finally, an extraordinary meeting of Peterborough City Council has been called for 26 February to consider the future of the city’s children’s centres. The Peterborough Telegraph reports that the decision means proposed cuts to the city’s 15 children’s centres intended to save £1.2m a year will be discussed by the full council, prior to a final decision being taken by the authority's cabinet.