Daily roundup: Online abuse, early intervention, and social investment bonds

Children are at risk from an e-safety “time bomb” unless action is taken to introduce age appropriate lessons starting at primary school, the NSPCC has warned. The charity says abuse via the internet and mobile phones is now one of the major child protection issues in the UK. The call coincides with Safer Internet Day today. Meanwhile, the Guardian reports that a study by computer software firm Kapersky has found that children who view popular children’s television clips on YouTube are on average just three clicks away from explicit adult material.

The Early Intervention Foundation has officially launched. The foundation, which is the brainchild of Labour MP Graham Allen, has been set up by a consortium of organisations including 4Children, the Local Government Association and Achievement for All. Allen, who will chair the new organisation, said: “After much anticipation it is fantastic news that today the contracts have been signed and the work of creating an independent, Early Intervention Foundation can begin. The foundation will have a vital role to play in ensuring that every baby, child and young person has the social and emotional capabilities, to fulfil their potential.”

Members of the public are being given the opportunity to invest in children’s services as part of a radical new scheme in Essex. The Future for Children Bond will use investment to improve outcomes for 11- to 16-year-olds at risk of going into care in Essex County Council. The scheme will fund multi-systemic therapy support for around 380 children and families. The target is to divert around 100 young people from entering care by providing support at home. Investors will get return on their investment, depending on how successful the results are.

Children as young as five are seeking help for self-harm according to ChildLine. The Mirror reports that figures from the charity show a rise in the number of 10- to 14-year-old girls who self-harm, but younger girls are also seeking help. Ann Pulling, ChildLine’s manager for Wales, said: “The majority of those who ring us are aged between 13 and 17, but we’ve had some as young as five – siblings or parents may make contact with us.” The Public Health Wales Observatory has reported that hospital admissions for self-harm in 10- to 14-year-old girls doubled between 2009 and 2011.

Local government is likely to be hit hard again as a result of spending plans being drawn up by the Treasury for 2015/16, according to the Financial Times. Analysis by the paper predicts probable cuts for each government department in 2015/16. It says that departments including justice, business, culture and local government will have faced cumulative real-terms cuts of more than 30 per cent since 2010/11. On the basis that Chancellor George Osborne has said the cuts will continue on the same path, health and schools will be protected, the paper said.

And finally, the Welsh and UK governments must work together to tackle youth unemployment, a summit on the issue has heard. The BBC reports that Welsh Secretary David Jones said the two countries must unite in order address the problem. Along with Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, he discussed with business and employment organisations how to offer more work experience, internships and apprenticeships for young people at a summit event in Newport.