Daily roundup: Free school meals, vitamin D, and Bedroom Tax

Government officials have expressed serious concern about whether the implementation of the universal free school meals scheme will be successful. The BBC reports that the scheme has been given a “red” rating in a Whitehall risk assessment.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended the government expands a scheme to give pregnant women and children from poor backgrounds vitamin D supplements. Nice has produced guidance after research showed rickets among children had risen 10-fold over the last 20 years. "Living in the UK you simply cannot get enough vitamin D from the sun or through diet", professor Mitch Blair from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health told the Guardian.

The High Court is today holding a judicial review hearing into whether a disabled child should be exempt from the Bedroom Tax. The case, backed by the Child Poverty Action Group, is being brought by Susan and Paul Rutherford who care for their 13-year-old grandson in a specially adapted home that includes a room for overnight carers to stay in. CPAG says it is challenging the fairness of the law which only allows an extra bedroom for adults who need overnight care, but not disabled children.

Researchers from the Institute of Education have claimed that an increased focus on pupils’ academic attainment is harming children’s health and wellbeing. In an article published in the British Medical Journal, Professor Chris Bonell and colleagues argue that schools should focus on improving pupils’ wellbeing, which they said would improve their attainment.  

Prosecutors could consider the use of social media sites and gang initiation processes when looking at cases of domestic abuse involving teenagers. The Crown Prosecution Service has launched a public consultation on proposals to change the guidelines to recognise the methods of abuse.

The government has published new guidance that extends the rights of adopted children to be given priority in the school admissions process. Current guidance can be interpreted as only applying to children adopted under the Adoption and Children Act 2002. The changes will mean any child adopted from local authority care should be prioritised for a place by school admissions authorities.