The Children's Society

Mark Russell, Chief Executive at the Children’s Society, responding to the Children’s commissioner findings that Black children in England and Wales are four times more likely to be strip-searched: "Strip-searching children should be an absolute last resort, undertaken only in exceptional circumstances and always with an adult present. The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has made it clear: the safety and wellbeing of children must come first, and police officers must be properly trained to handle these situations." “While it is promising to see the slight progress in practice and the number of intimate searches coming down, it’s clear a great deal more work is needed to tackle widespread safeguarding failures and issues of overuse and underreporting." "Basic safeguarding processes are not always followed and that raises concerning questions about police practice disregarding guidelines meant to protect vulnerable children. The continued racial disparity in the practice of strip-searching children is also deeply disturbing. Black children remain significantly overrepresented in the figures." “Children of any age and background can be at risk of exploitation and abuse, so whenever the police are dealing with a child their primary focus should around safeguarding. Ensuring that children, particularly those at risk, are treated with care and dignity should be paramount in any policing approach." Full article here: https://lnkd.in/e5yM-SFw

Your students might be spending a lot of their time online. The internet brings with it some dangers, and it’s important to be aware of and involved in what they’re doing on social media, games, or websites. But it is also a space for many young people to learn more about themselves, discover new hobbies and interests, and even campaign for change. We unpack how young people create communities online, and how you can support them do so in a safe way: https://lnkd.in/ejSYnrNv

Over 70,000 young people are reported missing each year in the UK. And there were 14,000 incidents of child criminal exploitation reported between March 2022 and 2023. That’s why we’re asking the new government to better protect teenagers from harm. Together, we can navigate towards a safer future for our teenagers, protecting them from risks both seen and unseen. Teenagers deserve to grow up in a safe, secure environment. Ask your MP to commit to #ActionBeforeCrisis: https://lnkd.in/eg-_cps3

Yesterday, cabinet ministers across Government joined Work & Pensions and Education Secretaries in the first Child Poverty Taskforce meeting. Thomas Cave, our Policy and Public Affairs Manager (Child Poverty and Inequality), said "We welcome the first meeting of the Child Poverty Taskforce and look forward to working with all departments to develop long-term solutions. “Alongside this, we urge the Taskforce to embrace its remit to also drive forward short-term actions. The Government can immediately offer support to hundreds of thousands of families, who literally cannot afford to wait until next spring, by scrapping the two-child limit and committing to the continuation of the essential lifeline of the Household Support fund.” #ChildPovertyUK

Important reminder! Teenagers are children too. 👏 Don't let them face life alone. 💛

“We’re seeing a lot of young people being groomed into doing fraudulent things, like opening bank accounts for criminals,” says Emma, a project worker helping young people who are at risk of, or experiencing, exploitation. Financial exploitation can have a lasting impact on the lives of young people, harming their chances to get a job or pushing them further into a life of exploitation. By listening and letting them know that they’re not alone, we support young people to build the strong, healthy relationships they need to move forward. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3BFzFtu

Over the next two weeks, young people across the UK will receive their A-level or GCSE results. It’s a stressful time for teens, who can feel a lot of pressure at school, from their parents, or even by comparing themselves to their peers. By noticing signs of stress and talking to your students about it, you can help them cope with uncertainty. We’re sending young people across the UK the best of luck, and reminding them that their results do not define them. No matter what, they have so much to be proud of 🧡 https://lnkd.in/ejpift59

Pets are amazing companions. There’s nothing like curling up on the sofa with your furry friend after a long day at work. But pets can have a lot of surprising benefits for young people: - They’re great stress-busters, and can help reduce anxiety. - They can boost physical activity, giving a young person a reason to get out and about. - They can help improve confidence, as young people develop a sense of responsibility and care. To learn more about the benefits of animals for teens, head over to our blog: https://lnkd.in/eG5WDkFS

Each year thousands of teenagers are sexually exploited. It can start with something as simple as a DM on Instagram or a comment on a TikTok post. But things can escalate fast. It is important to know the signs and how to help when something happens. https://lnkd.in/enhvvCcZ

We conducted a survey of 2,000 parents, and found that families are shelling out hundreds of pounds annually on school uniforms. Astonishingly, over half of secondary school parents must purchase at least three school logo branded items. Meanwhile, primary school parents are not far behind, with a significant number facing similar demands. You can help support families by buying a child a school uniform on our Give Hope shop: https://givehope.uk/shop