Rising tide of poverty ‘undermining children’s life chances’

  • In a survey of 1,300 health visitors by the Institute for Health Visiting (IHV), health visitors have raised concerns that health and wellbeing threats faced by UK children will not be addressed.
  • Only 7% of health visitors in the UK felt confident all families could access the support they need if an issue was raised.
  • 86% said there was not enough capacity in other services to pick up referrals for support or treatment.
  • The IHV also warned there is a “tsunami of unmet need” which is “undermining” the life chances for many children.
  • They also highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, with increasing numbers relying on foodbanks to feed their children.
  • 60% of health visitors said they had seen increases in child safeguarding issues over the last 12 months.
  • For more, please visit the Independent’s website.

12-year-old dies after dangerous challenge popular on TikTok

  • A 12-year-old girl in Argentina has reportedly died after attempting the “blackout challenge” also known as the “choking challenge”.
  • The viral challenge dares users to choke themselves until they pass out.
  • The child had reportedly “successfully” attempted the challenge twice before but is believed to have died on her third attempt.
  • The child’s aunt had said the child had received a WhatsApp message from someone along with a link to the challenge, following bullying in school.
  • Police are investigating the incident.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that in 2008, more than 82 young people had died between the mid 1990s and mid 2000s as a result of participation in “choking games”.
  • For further advice, check out our resource on Responding to Online Challenges, Trends and Hoaxes.
  • To read the full story, go to the Independent’s website.

Children in England at clear risk ‘cannot get mental health bed’

  • A new report commissioned by Look Ahead Care has found that young people in England have attempted suicide several times before getting a bed in an inpatient unit in England.
  • Criteria for admissions for a bed in child and adolescent mental health units are now so stringent that even those under-18 who are very vulnerable and pose a clear risk to themselves, cannot get one.
  • The report also highlights how children and young people (CYP) are seeking help at A&E for serious mental health problems because mental health crisis services are inadequate.
  • It has been reported that private providers now provide most of the mental health inpatient care for CYP who are classed as unwell enough to need a bed, but these cost up to £4,200 a week. Which is far more than on the NHS.
  • For more on this story, please visit the Guardian’s website.