Daily roundup: Happiness, volunteering for athletes, and child porn arrest

Young people are happier and more optimistic about their lives than other age groups in the UK, a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found. The report found that young people aged 16-24 rated their satisfaction with their lives at a higher level than the average for all ages in 2012. The highest ratings for life satisfaction were among 16- to 17-year-olds and 18- to 19-year-old age groups. Young people also reported the lowest levels of anxiety among all age groups, and between 80 and 85 per cent reported a medium to high level of optimism.

Olympic athletes will be asked to volunteer in schools or sports clubs in order to receive National Lottery funding, the Telegraph reports. Culture Secretary Maria Miller said those wishing to compete in the 2016 Rio Games will have to sign up to work with children for five days, as part of a programme that will provide about 5,000 days of volunteering support. Athletes will be expected to “encourage, mentor and teach”.

Harrow Council’s lead member for children has quit after being arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, The Evening Standard reports. The paper says Brian Gate was suspended by Harrow Council and subsequently quit his job following the allegation. He had been in charge of Harrow’s schools and families department since Labour took control of the council in 2010. A Harrow Council spokesperson said: “The council acted promptly to immediately suspend councillor Gate and to follow all proper safeguarding procedures. Councillor Gate subsequently tendered his resignation as portfolio holder and from his governorships. The safety of children is paramount for Harrow Council.”

Children of mothers with both recurrent depression and other mental health problems are at higher risk of developing mental health problems than children of mothers with recurrent depression alone, Researchers have found. A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry, found that rates of new mental health problems in children increased depending on the number of additional clinical problems in their mothers. Types of problems experienced by the children included depression, anxiety and disruptive behaviour disorders. The authors’ said: “Co-occurring psychopathology in mothers was a strong predictor of future disorders in offspring.”

Academics are to explore the benefits of universal hearing tests for primary school children. The Nottingham Post reports that experts from the University of Nottingham will compare screening programmes areas with parts of the country where no provision currently exists. They aim to find out whether a nationwide screening programme will identify hearing problems in four-to six-year-olds. Dr Heather Fortnum, an associate professor at the university’s school of clinical sciences, said: "We hope our research will be successful in establishing which approach is most effective at spotting hearing problems in young children and, for the first time, will also give some prediction on the cost to the NHS per child tested."

The government has been urged to focus on involving the voluntary sector in plans to shake-up the way offenders are dealt with. Crime reduction charity Nacro says the voluntary sector can play a positive role in delivering effective outcomes in crime reduction on the back of government proposals to put 60 per cent of probation work out for tender. Nacro’s chief executive Paul McDowell said the prospect of opening up the market for probation services is welcome. “However it’s imperative that ministers ensure that the payment-by-results market is designed in a way that focuses on a necessary balance between value for money and effectiveness," he said. "The incentive must be on delivering effective criminal justice services that improve outcomes, such as reducing reoffending and protecting the public.”