Daily roundup: Democracy, care applications, and parenting

Childcare minister Sam Gyimah has criticised comedian Russell Brand for encouraging young people not to vote. Giving evidence to the political and constitutional reform committee, Gyimah told MPs it is "sad" that a "leading celebrity" such as Brand had taken such a stance. Brand, who advocates revolution, sparked controversy last year when he said voting made no difference, reports the BBC.

There were 894 care applications made to family courts in August 2014, latest figures from Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service show. The figure represents an eight per cent increase compared to August 2013, Cafcass said. The rise is half that of the previous month when a record number of applications were made.

Children raised in stable marital homes are better behaved than those brought up by unmarried parents, according to a major government-backed study. An analysis of 3,000 children from the early years to the age of 16 has shown those with married parents are more confident, kind and responsible while showing lower levels of antisocial attitudes and hyperactivity. The Oxford University-led study said there was a “significant tendency” for poorer behaviour management among children from single-parent families and those brought up by unmarried mothers and fathers, reports the Telegraph.

An academic has branded a social work recruitment campaign as “exploitative” because it focuses on the death of a child. Coventry City Council's Do It For Daniel campaign centres around Daniel Pelka, the four-year-old was starved and beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend in 2012. But the BBC reports that Coventry University lecturer Dr Josephine Kwali created the impression "social workers alone" were to blame for the failings in Daniel's case when many agencies were found to have made mistakes. "I don't see any of the other professions using Daniel's name to recruit more doctors or teachers," she said.

Staffordshire Council is to close 44 children’s centres under new plans to shake up under-fives’ provision. Pre-school children will instead be catered for in community centres, village halls or in in their own homes. Children’s services bosses say the move is aimed at reaching vulnerable families who would most benefit from pre-school provision but are not using the service, reports the Express and Star.

Careers services for young people in England need to be urgently improved, says a report from an advisory body set up by the government. The National Careers Council, says there are "massive variations" in the advice available, depending on where young people live. It says in one region there are 134 careers advisory services, and in another there is only one, reports the BBC.

Buckinghamshire Council leaders have praised retiring children’s services director Sue Imbriano, saying there is “no truer or more loyal worker at this council”. Imbriano is to step down at the end of the week after running children’s services for eight years. The department has seen a 70 per cent rise in police and health referrals and is seeking more funding to employ more social workers, reports Buckingham Today.