Review of issues in Ireland and Great Britain – Church, education and state provision
Ireland:
School-leavers with intellectual disabilities face cuts in support
Irish Times – Health authorities are under mounting pressure to find places for up to 700 children with intellectual disabilities who require essential services when they finish school next month. However, several voluntary service providers say they are “cut to the bone” and have started to turn down requests from parents for vital services for their children.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0514/1224316066178.html
Irish youth and suicide
TheJournal.ie – 93 per cent rise in young people seeking help for self-harm, suicidal thoughts.Suicide and self-harm crisis centre Pieta House says young women account for most of the increase in those seeking help.
http://www.thejournal.ie/93-per-cent-rise-in-young-people-seeking-help-for-self-harm-suicidal-thoughts-442761-May2012/
New law to clear up paternity confusion
Joan Burton will bring in legislation that will end the presumption that a husband is the father of all the children born during a marriage.
http://www.thejournal.ie/new-law-to-clear-up-paternity-confusion-430745-Apr2012/
How are gifted young people cared for in Ireland?
TheJournal.ie spoke to the Irish Centre for Talented Youth to debunk some of the myths surrounding exceptionally-abled children and young people in Ireland.
http://www.thejournal.ie/how-are-gifted-young-people-cared-for-in-ireland-432319-Apr2012/
Abuse mainly home-based – Irish Examiner
Great Britain
10000 youth called to prayer day
Christian Today – Urban Saints and Soul Survivor are among the organisations getting behind a campaign to mobilise 10000 young Christians in praying for the nation
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/10000.youth.called.to.prayer.day/29791.htm
2700 young people sign up as community volunteers for Olympics
Christian Today – Some 2700 young people from churches across London have signed up to be community volunteers during the Olympics
www.christiantoday.com/article/3/2700.young.people.sign.up.as.community.volunteers.for.olympics/29767.htm
Over-counter pills for girls 13 – 16
Parents ‘ignore Facebook age bar’
Children’s minister Tim Loughton warns that parents are helping their children dodge Facebook age limits to set up accounts.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17853498
Recession Causing ‘Lost Generation’ Of Pupils
Sky News – Teachers are warning of a “lost generation” of pupils, with seven out of 10 concerned that their students will end up on benefits.The findings, by youth charity The Prince’s Trust, highlight the devastating impact of the recession on teachers and pupils across England.More than half (54%) of teachers expect more pupils will end up on the dole than ever before due to rising levels of unemployment.
http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16217072
School pupils ‘not eating enough’
BBC – A study suggests secondary school pupils in England are not eating enough food at lunchtime.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17869903
UK to test US summer school idea
BBC – US-style summer schools are being introduced to the UK to help tackle the achievement gap between rich and poor students.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17869898
School gay marriage stance probed
BBC – Claims that the Catholic Education Service has encouraged school pupils to sign an anti-gay marriage petition are to be investigated.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17883093
Units ‘keep pupils out of jail’
BBC – The chief inspector of Scottish prisons calls for the creation of behaviour units in more schools to prevent young people ending up in jail.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-17866268