Daily roundup: Missing babies, nurture groups, and play

At least 19 babies have disappeared from council care in the past two years, some for months at a time. Figures released to the Sunday Times following a Freedom of Information request show that at least 4,852 looked-after children were reported missing between January 2012 and December 2013. One boy, who was only a few months old when he went missing nearly two years ago, has yet to be found.

New research has found that nurture groups significantly improve the educational outcomes of children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The Nurture Group Network said the school-based intervention provides a valuable support mechanism for aggressive children and young people.

Seven charities have been awarded a share of a £1.9m investment in play in the early years in Scotland. The charities, which include Dad’s Rock, join the Inspiring Scotland portfolio as part of the Go2Play play strategy fund.

Additional guidance to support best practice in fostering and adoption has been published by The College of Social Work (TCSW). The guidance is intended to help social workers identify their professional capability strengths as well as areas for improvement.

The government has announced that construction firm Wates is to build the £85m secure college for young offenders. Work on the facility, next to Glen Parva Youth Offenders Institute in Leicestershire, will start next year ahead of a 2017 opening. It will will house up to 320 young offenders aged between 12 and 17, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

The NSPCC has appointed Sherry Malik as director of children’s services development and delivery at the charity. The newly created role oversees the development of the NSPCC’s range of programmes as well as the delivery of its direct services to children and families. Malik was previously director of children's and adults services at the London borough of Hounslow, and has also held senior roles at Cafcass and Action for Children.