Poverty has two-fold impact on children’s ability, says study
Seven-year-olds who have lived in poverty since infancy perform substantially worse in a range of ability tests than those who have never been poor, even when family circumstances and parenting skills are taken into account, researchers have found.
On a scale from zero to 100, a child who has been in persistent poverty will rank 10 points below an otherwise similar child who has no early experience of poverty, according to researchers. The research,published by the Institute of Education, looked at vocabulary, reading, picture recognition and pattern construction.
Poverty has a direct effect on children’s abilities, as well as an indirect effect, because it hampers their parents’ ability to help them. The direct effect is because of a “sheer lack of resources”, researchers say. Better-off parents are able to provide more stimulating environment for their children.
Andy Dickerson, one of the authors of the research, said: “My children play on a tablet [computer], that’s a pure income effect, nothing to do with me as a parent
Access to online porn ‘twisting children’s view of sexual norms’
Access to online porn ‘twisting children’s view of sexual norms’
Deputy children’s commissioner says social networking, mobiles and hardcore porn contributing to child sexual exploitation
Children are having the threshold of what is normal sexual behaviour twisted by free access to hardcore pornography on their mobile phones, the deputy children’s commissioner says.
Sue Berelowitz told the home affairs select committee that social networking sites and the use of pornography was one of the key areas she was examining in an investigation of group and gang child sexual exploitation. Her inquiry had already revealed that such exploitation was taking place across the country in urban, rural and metropolitan areas. “It is violent, it is sadistic, it is very, very ugly,” she told MPs on Tuesday.
She said the issue of how social networking, BBM messaging and pornography was being used as part of the exploitation of children and young people
The European Child Safety Alliance (ECSA) will publish report cards on child safety measures for more than 30 European countries.
| The European Child Safety Alliance (ECSA) will publish report cards on child safety measures for more than 30 European countries. The report cards will assess safety measures relating to children and young people by examining policies addressing accidental injury. |
| Source: Wired 06 June 2012 |
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has launched a website aimed at children in care
| The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has launched a website aimed at children in care. It offers information and practical tips on a range of issues including independent living, staying in touch with family, keeping healthy, bullying support and coping mechanisms. |
| Source: Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) 30 May 2012 |
| Further information: Info 4 Care Kids |
Barnardo’s has published a report on child sexual exploitation
| Barnardo’s has published a report on child sexual exploitation setting out how local authorities in England can protect children and deal with this issue. It contains guidance, legislation and good practice. Highlights the key elements of a local response, including: raising awareness, understanding what is happening, developing a strategic response, supporting victims, and facilitating policing and prosecutions. | |||||||||||||||
| Source: Children & Young People Now 01 June 2012 | |||||||||||||||
| Further information: Barnardos 01 June 2012 |
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The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has published a report evaluating the Safeguarding Children Peer Reviews
The NSPCC has called for stricter internet restrictions
The Guardian report on Barnet’s Safer Families Project
children who witness domestic violence are more likely to carry a weapon
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