The government's action plan on child sexual exploitation stresses the need for health professionals to play a more active role in identification and prevention. Charlotte Goddard investigates why health services have struggled to tackle the problem and what is being done about it.
Charity launches a child sexual abuse inquiry helpline; a Birmingham free school is put into special measures; and a serious case review finds a number of key errors, all in the news today.
Anne Longfield outlines her plans to shape the policy agenda in five key areas including children's use of the internet, tackling child abuse, overcoming inequalities, looked-after children and better cross-government working.
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) revelations uncover many uncomfortable truths about the daily experiences of young children, yet there remains a dearth of support available for victims of this heinous form of abuse.
The creation of an "intake team" by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service has improved the speed and accuracy of information sent to courts. Charlotte Goddard spent a day with them.
Children's services leaders say the government's plans to extend wilful neglect sanctions of up to five years in prison to social care and education professionals will harm joint working and deter many entering the sector.
In a bid to end female genital mutilation, the government plans to introduce legislation before the general election to make reporting of FGM mandatory. But what are the implications for children's professionals?
Preventing child sexual abuse from happening in the first place is the ultimate goal of all children's professionals but this is not straightforward. Charlotte Goddard explores the challenges and what really works when it comes to keeping children safe.
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is far from new, but the critical understanding of grooming and the types of exploitative situations young people find themselves in is.