27th August
Coalition Set Up for Young Carers
A group of leading charities has formed the first National Young Carers Coalition.
The coalition is made up of organisations that work with young carers and their families, including The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Disabled Parents Network.
The aim is to propel young carers and their families up the political agenda to ensure their needs are met.
One area the coalition will initially focus on is the Education and Skills Bill, as the government has said young people with a "reasonable excuse", such as caring for a parent, will not be prosecuted for not participating in education.
However, the coalition argues safeguards are needed to ensure young carers and their families are offered the support they need to allow young carers to stay on in education or training.
source: Children & Young People Now
26th August
Youth Clubs Help Curb Antisocial Behaviour
Youth clubs could play a role in cutting antisocial behaviour, according to research from the network Clubs for Young People.
A study carried out with UK Youth, looking at the location of youth clubs, found more Asbos were issued in areas where there were fewer youth clubs.
It also found there were more children per youth club in deprived areas.
Clubs for Young People is now involved in the Blueprint project to set out a plan for fun and effective youth centres.
Simon Antrobus, chief executive of Clubs for Young People, said: "Young people rightly deserve high quality facilities in their communities which is why it's important that we lead a discussion on what turns a community facility into a world class provision where young people can have fun, learn and grow as individuals."
The project is being championed by MP David Blunkett and will involve a series of events to get views from interested parties. Anyone interested in taking part should email tracie.trimmer@clubsforyoungpeople.org.uk.
source: Cathy Wallace, Children & Young People Now
19th August
Young People's Anti-Bullying Site Goes Live
Anti-bullying charity Beatbullying has launched a new website for young people, with social networking features.
The site will let young people share videos and photos and download music, as well as blog about their thoughts around bullying issues.
Sarah Dyer, director of new media at Beatbullying, said: "It is absolutely crucial to engage with young people using the sorts of web technology they like. Our new site enables young users to communicate, interact and support each other online."
The new site follows a new adult and professionals' website, which was launched earlier in 2008, and was developed after consultation with hundreds of young people.
Dyer said: "We know how hard it can be to get young people interested and involved in anti-bullying messages and activities, but by making our website appealing and interactive, we can give young people an opportunity to explore, discuss and tackle this important issue by themselves."
source: Cathy Wallace, Children & Young People Now
13th August
4Children says scrap curfews and provide more activites
Curfews should be scrapped and young people should have access to dedicated "children's zones".
Geethika Jayatilaka, deputy chief executive of the children's charity, said every local area should have a designated zone where children and young people have access to activities ranging from sport to music.
She said: "It's about joining up activities to make them easy to get to. We want local authorities to build on the extended services model but link in youth services and summer holiday activities."
The charity has also called for local authorities to employ play rangers to oversee outdoor spaces and deter gangs and disaffected young people from making trouble in community areas.
However, Sergeant Jason Adams, neighbourhood team leader in charge of a voluntary curfew scheme in Redruth, Cornwall, said: "I can understand why people are calling for an end to curfews because of human rights. But we're responding to what the community wants."
source: Lauren Higgs, Children & Young People Now