Daily roundup: Safe houses, antisocial behaviour, and criminal records

A new report recommends the creation of a series of “safe houses” for young people wanting to flee violence in London. Under the plan, put forward by London Conservatives, “block parents” would open up their homes to young people being bullied, mugged, followed or attacked, the BBC reports.

Ofsted has closed a children’s home in Lancashire following a string of complaints from neighbours about antisocial behaviour. The Lancashire Evening Post reports that inspectors visited the home in Bamber Bridge following the complaints and are due to publish an inspection report about the matter.

The chief executive of Step up to Serve has encouraged youth charities to welcome volunteers and staff with criminal records. According to the Telegraph, Charlotte Hill told the Hay Festival that some of the best youth workers have criminal records and that their past shouldn’t prevent them from being employed.

The councillor in charge of Devon’s youth services has been forced to apologise after claiming youth centres “just provide a pool table” for young people. According to the Express and Echo, James McInnes made the comment during a speech about the authority’s consultation on plans to outsource the management of youth centres.

A new guide for childcare professionals working with two-year-olds has been published by the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (Pacey). Penny Tassoni, Pacey’s president, has penned the book in a bid to support professionals to deal with the increasing number of two-year-olds coming into early years settings.

And finally, health chiefs in South Yorkshire have launched a review into children’s community specialist nursing services. The South Yorkshire Times reports that families are being urged to provide feedback through an online survey.