Resources and useful links

Evidence scope: models of adolescent care provision - Susannah Bowyer and Julie Wilkinson March 2013

This rapid review examines the evidence on models of adolescent care provision beyond the residential children’s home model. To read more please download the report (PDF 687 KB)

Common mental health disorders: Evidence Update March 2013

A summary of selected new evidence relevant to NICE clinical guideline 123 "Common mental health disorders: identification and pathways to care" (2011). To read more please download the report (PDF 401 KB).

What can I do? protecting your child from sexual abuse

In the wake of recent news stories about allegations of sexual abuse against children, the NSPCC is making its recently published booklet for parents and carers, What can I do? Protecting your child from sexual abuse, available for free to parents and professionals working with families.

What can I do? Protecting your child from sexual abuse with nursing practitioners and the families they work with who may have a need. You can look at this publication by following this link: www.nspcc.org.uk/help-and-advice/for-parents-and-carers/guides-for-parents/sexual-abuse/sexual-abuse_wda90715.html

We would like to offer all RCN members up to 10 free copies, and invite any parent they have contact with to apply to us for a free copy.

Managing children with health care needs: delegation of clinical procedures, training, accountability and governance issues

In 2004, the Council for Disabled Children published The dignity of risk which contained an advisory list of procedures previously produced by the RCN in 1999, highlighting those clinical procedures which could be safely taught and delegated to unregistered health and non-health qualified staff. This list was subsequently updated for ‘Including me’ in 2005. Further revisions have since been made to reflect some of the queries which have arisen, clarifying pointers as needed. This most recent version takes account of changes occurring in the NHS and the significant risks posed to children and young people arising from the plethora of private providers and social enterprises. This document will continue to be updated at periodic intervals.

To read more you can download the document here (106KB PDF)

Safeguarding Children and Young people: roles and competences for health care staff, Intercollegiate document, September 2010

To protect children and young people from harm, all health staff must have the competences to recognise child maltreatment and to take effective action as appropriate to their role. They must also clearly understand their responsibilities, and should be supported by their employing organisation to fulfil their duties.

In 2006, the royal colleges and professional bodies jointly published Safeguarding children and young people: roles and competences for health care staff. The document described six levels of competences and provided model role descriptions for named and designated professionals.

Since that time, reviews across the UK have reinforced the need to further improve the safeguarding skills and understanding of health staff, and to improve access to safeguarding training. A specific review of safeguarding training by the Department of Health in England highlighted the need for greater clarity about the training that should be received by different staff groups.

To read more you can download the document here (867KB PDF)

Emotional neglect and emotional abuse in pre-school children

The NSPCC and Cardiff University have launched a new resource to help practitioners identify emotional neglect and emotional abuse in pre-school children.

The resource, which is free to download, alerts practitioners to the key signs they should look out for both in a child’s behaviour and in parent-child interactions which may indicate a child is being emotionally neglected or emotionally abused.

It is the latest in the CORE-INFO series of leaflets and is based on a systematic review of the latest worldwide published scientific research into the features of emotional neglect and emotional abuse in children under six, conducted by Cardiff University’s Child Protection Systematic Review group.

Dr Sabine Maguire, of Cardiff University, said: “The review showed there are clearly observable emotional, behavioural and developmental features in pre-school children who have been emotionally neglected or emotionally abused. Early recognition of these features potentially enables the cycle of emotional neglect or emotional abuse to be broken, thus preventing longer term consequences which may include increasing aggression, poor social skills and language delay.”

Dr Ruth Gardner, head of the NSPCC’s neglect programme said: “Emotional neglect and abuse in early infancy have a profound impact on children and can lead to them becoming anxious, anti-social, withdrawn, or aggressive later in life. It is vital that practitioners have the right resources to allow them to recognise the signs early, as the longer the child is left in an emotionally abusive or neglectful environment, the greater the resulting damage. By bringing together the learning from a wide range of research in an accessible way the new CORE-INFO resource will be very valuable in helping practitioners identify these children and seek specialised assessment where necessary.”

This is part of the work that the NSPCC is undertaking to tackle neglect a key priority for the charity, with its research showing that one in 10 children are experiencing severe neglect in childhood and recent report revealing that calls to its helpline about neglect have doubled in the last two years.

The resource can be downloaded by going to www.nspcc.org.uk/core-info

Latest Evidence Update from NHS Evidence - food allergy in children and young people

Food allergy in children and young people: Evidence Update May 2012 is the latest Evidence Update from NHS Evidence – a service provided by NICE. It focuses on a summary of selected new evidence relevant to NICE clinical guideline 116 Diagnosis and assessment of food allergy in children and young people in primary care and community settings (2011).

The full document can be downloaded here (PDF 272KB)

Looked After Children: Knowledge, skills and competences of health care staff - Intercollegiate Role Framework May 2012

The royal colleges recognise the importance of education and training to prepare practitioners for the roles and responsibilities entailed in working with looked after children and have published a framework outlining key roles and the knowledge and skills required to improve outcomes for looked after children.

To read the full report, please go here (PDF 635KB). See how to access PDF files

Strengthening the commitment: The report of the UK Modernising Learning Disabilities Nursing Review

Health and social care systems across the UK continue to face significant strategic, structural and economic change, with an increased focus on localism and integration, changes in commissioning structures and a strong emphasis on outcomes and transparency. Learning disabilities nursing must adapt to meet the demands of this change.

The UK Modernising Learning Disabilities Nursing Review aims to ensure the best possible services are provided to people with learning disabilities, their families and carers now and in the future and that we have a valued and thriving learning disabilities nursing profession.

To read the report in full, please go here (PDF 1.04MB). See how to access PDF files.

Independent parliamentary inquiry into online child protection

This report of findings and recommendations was published in April 2012 and can be downloaded here (PDF 2.26MB).

Keeping children safe: The case for reforming the law on child neglect

Action for Children is a leading UK children’s charity committed to helping the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people break through injustice, deprivation and inequality, so they can achieve their full potential. They work with around 50,000 children and young people through more than 500 services across the UK.

Action for Children has produced a document entitled Keeping children safe: The case for reforming the law on child neglect which can be accessed here (PDF 1.39MB)

Child and adolescent behavioural health: A resource for advanced practice psychiatric and primary care practitioners in nursing

As an increasing number of children and adolescents with psychiatric symptoms go unrecognized in our current health
care system, the ability to identify and treat these issues in multiple health care settings has become vitally important. With access to primary care providers increasing and a shortage of child psychiatric providers, collaboration between
psychiatric, pediatric and family advanced practice nurses is essential to improving care for this vulnerable population.
Child and adolescent behavioural health: A resource for advanced practice psychiatric and primary care practitioners in nursing provides a practical reference to aid in this endeavor.

A PDF containing information more information and an order form for this book can be accessed here (PDF 724KB)

Allergywise

The Anaphylaxis Campaign has developed AllergyWise, an online course, based on its successful school nurse training in anaphylaxis and severe allergy.

AllergyWise for health care professionals is accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and endorsed by the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI). The course is specifically designed for health care professionals including school or nursery nurses, health visitors, those with responsibility for training teachers and other staff working in schools and early years settings.

For more information, please download the Allergywise flyer (PDF 101KB)

Assessing the needs of children and their families

Recognising when a child or young person has additional needs and identifying appropriate sources of help are core knowledge and skills for all practitioners who work with children and families. The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is part of the programme of work to intervene earlier and ensure all families get the help they require.

To access this resource, please go here (PDF 595KB)

Paving the way- A closer look at what the changing policy landscape means for public health improvement, education and learning.

This document by the RSPH can be accessed here (PDF 595KB)

New film helps health visitors deal with child protection conferences

A new film to support health visitors to help parents and families going to child protection conferences has been released online today by advice charity Family Rights Group.

The film helps health visitors reflect on their role in child protection conferences and prepares parents and families for the process. The video re-constructs a child protection conference, explaining what it is all about, demystifying the process and the possible outcomes.

Health visitor, Catherine Vij, from Limehouse Practice, Poplar, East London, said: “This film is important for health visitors because it helps them understand their role and the formal nature of the process. It enables health visitors to be better prepared when they do need to attend a child protection conference, and to better support families in these circumstances.”

Cathy Ashley, Family Rights Group chief executive, said: “Child protection conferences are a statutory intervention in a family’s life and often parents’ reaction is to feel daunted, angry and very scared that their child will be taken away. 

“Explaining the process visually will improve families’ ability to participate effectively in a child protection conference and give them greater ownership of the child protection plan.”

Family Rights Group identified a clear need for the video as one in four calls to its helpline are about child protection. Explaining what happens in a conference over the phone can be a complex task for advisers as they clarify the difficult process families face.

Ms Ashley said: “Film is the easiest and clearest way to explain and demystify a child protection conference. Written information, which aims to do the same thing, is inevitably long and complex. Many of the target audience for the film may have language, literacy or learning difficulties.

“Research shows that getting families and professionals to work in partnership is key to enabling children to remain safely within their family home. This has clear benefits for the family, local authorities, the government and the rest of society.”

The film is in two parts – before, during and after the conference, plus there are interviews with four professionals – enabling parents to dip in and out of the information.

Using professionals in role, and actors as parents, the film is realistic and engaging. It will help both parents and practitioners prepare for, and participate in, these important meetings.

The film features Anne and Terry who have been together for 18 months. Anne has a son, Jack, aged four from a previous relationship and the couple have a two-month old daughter, Layla.

The midwife was concerned about Anne’s alcohol use towards the end of the pregnancy with Layla. There were two incidents of domestic violence where the police were called and the family was subsequently referred to children’s services. They decided that, given Anne’s history and the apparent escalation of her alcohol use and the recent domestic violence, an initial child protection conference should be convened.

The film shows key participants at the conference including a social worker, deputy headteacher, health visitor, drug and alcohol worker, personal adviser and a police officer.

To view the video go to http://www.frg.org.uk/films. The film is also available to purchase in DVD format from FRG’s online shop.

Acceptable Behaviour? Public opinion on behaviour change policy

This international research considers the public acceptability of a range of measures intended to change behaviour across four policy areas. It investigates support for different levels of political intervention in the lives of individuals with regard to: smoking; eating unhealthy foods; saving for retirement; and living in an environmentally sustainable way.

The report in full can be accessed here (PDF 1.22MB)

The Care Placements Evaluation (CaPE) Evaluation of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents (MTFC-A)

This research brief summarises the findings from an evaluation of effectiveness of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents (MTFC-A), an innovative, evidence-based form of fostering for looked after children (aged 11-16 years) with complex needs

The full report can be accessed here (PDF 66KB)

Helping children achieve: Summary of the study 2007-2010

This research report presents the findings from the Helping Children Achieve (HCA) study. The aim of the HCA study is to compare the effectiveness of three evidence-based parenting group interventions and usual services to reduce the level of conduct problems and improve the literacy of children in years one and two of infant school.

The report in full can be accessed here (PDF 191KB)

High Need Families Project: Development and piloting a new parenting intervention (The Helping Families Programme) for children with severe and persistent conduct problems

The Helping Families Programme is targeted specifically at the small but significant number of families with multiple problems, where chaotic parenting is likely to give rise to disruptive anti-social behaviour. This report provides an overview of the phases of the High Need Families Project, drawing together the lessons learned and describing dissemination of the Helping Families Programme to date.

The report in full can be accessed here (PDF 528KB)

A profile of pupil exclusions in England

This research report presents the findings from a study and analysis of pupil exclusions in the maintained education sector in England. This report forms part of the evidence base provided by the department to the formal inquiry into the system of school exclusions in England by the Childrens' Commissioner.

To access the report, please go here (PDF 996KB)

How is parenting style related to child anti-social behaviour?

This report presents the findings from a study that examined the relationship between parenting styles and a range of family factors and child anti-social behaviour. The study examined in detail 278 families living in inner city areas who had children at higher risk of poor social and academic outcomes due to anti-social behaviour. The children involved in the study were aged four to seven.

To access the report, please go here (PDF 89KB)

Children’s care monitor 2011

The Children’s care monitor is the major national assessment of care and welfare by children, and is used by government and local authorities to inform policy.  The 2011 monitor involved 1,895 children and young people, of whom 1,333 were in care or looked after by local authorities.

The report can be accessed here (PDF 1.30MB)

Managing children with health care needs: delegation of clinical procedures, training and accountability issues

In 2004, the Council for Disabled Children published The dignity of risk which contained an advisory list of procedures previously produced by the RCN in 1999, highlighting those clinical procedures which could be safely taught and delegated to non-health qualified staff. This list was subsequently updated for ‘Including Me’ in 20052. Further revisions have since been made to reflect some of the queries which have arisen, clarifying pointers as needed. This document will continue to be updated at periodic intervals.

To access the document, please go here (PDF 50KB)

All Babies Count- support for parents

Becoming a new parent is a really exciting time. But it can also be worrying. The NSPCC booklet All Babies count: support for parents explores the challenges that new parents face and the vulnerability of babies. Written following consultation with both parents and professionals, this is a resource for you to share with parents, especially those parents who are under stress as it includes advice on how to calm a crying baby, how to manage the stress of new parenthood, how to pick up signs of post-natal depression and where to get help.

NSPCC are offering those who work with parents 10 free copies of this booklet (whilst stocks last). Please email info@nspcc.org.uk  or ring 0207 825 2775.  Alternatively you can download a copy from www.nspcc.org.uk 

The NSPCC want All Babies count to be a tool to support your work. If you have any comments or feedback about how effective this booklet has been, they would like to hear from you. Please contact them on info@nspcc.org.uk 

Teenage pregnancy and sexual health

Summary of AYPH Research Update (PDF 212KB)

Early Intervention: smart investment, massive savings

The Second Independent Report to Her Majesty’s Government by Graham Allen MP

• Full report (PDF 1MB)

How to engage with diverse groups in schools and other educational settings

This how to guide provides guidelines and practical suggestions for teachers and other staff in schools or other educational settings on how to engage and reach out to those children and young people who are currently not engaging with education and related activities. For more information, please download the PDF below.

• How to Guide (PDF 540KB)

The HPA National Tuberculosis Strain Typing Project

The National Strain Typing Project is a Health Protection Agency (HPA) led scheme developed in response to the Chief Medical Officer’s TB Action Plan of 2004, which identified molecular strain typing of all Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates as a key component of TB control. It will provide an extended service through typing of at least 95% of all M. tuberculosis first isolates with the highly discriminatory 24 loci MIRU-VNTR method. The project will initially run for three years.For more information, please download the PDF below.

• HPA Strain Typing Project (PDF 414KB)
  

HeadSmart- raising awareness of brain tumour symptoms

HeadSmart is a new joint campaign by the Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Nottingham, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust that aims to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms by helping parents and health professionals spot the signs of brain tumours in
children and young people.

For more information please visit www.headsmart.org.uk or download the PDF below.

HeadSmart- be brain tumour aware (PDF 86KB)

Publications

Working within child and adolescent mental health inpatient services - a practitioner's handbook

This handbook, published by the National Workforce Programme: CAMHS and National CAMHS Support Service (NCSS), is designed to provide practitioners working in generic inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with an overview of the key issues related to working within this setting. It is available to download from the Child and Maternal Health Observatory website.

Useful links

NHS LifeCheck
A free online health check service that helps people find out if they are living a healthy lifestyle and points out areas that may need improving. There's a Baby LifeCheck for new parents, Teen LifeCheck for those aged 11 to 15, and Mid-Life LifeCheck for those over 40.

The Obesity Learning Centre
Portal from the National Heart Forum which aims to share best practice, provide links to information, training and data available on obesity.

National Academy of Parenting Practitioners
This organisation uniquely links research, training, practical support and information to make sure that people who work with parents are able to do that successfully.

Critical care - a one-stop resource for critical care practitioners
Resource from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which includes guidance, safety alerts and links to educational material to assist in the safe use and management of medicines and medical devices.

CAMHS Outcome Research Consortium
CORC aims to foster the effective and routine use of outcome measures in work with children and young people (and their families and carers) who experience mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties.

A study of recommendations from SCRs www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RR157

Lead indicators and their potential use by LSCBs
www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/CWRC-00079-2011

Safeguarding children statistics: Availability and comparability of UK data
 www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RB153

The British Youth Council

The British Youth Council (BYC) is a charity run for young people by young people to give them a voice.   BYC welcomed the opportunity to feed young people’s views and experiences of school nurses directly to the Department of Health and the Chief Nursing Officer, who have shown a commitment to ensuring that school aged young people have a voice on what they want their school nurse to do..  Young People's views and experiences of School Nurses (PDF 1,545KB)

Completing the revolution

Mental health is an issue the CSJ has considered in many of our previous reports, particularly those relating to family breakdown, criminal justice (courts and sentencing and prison reform), children in care and street gangs. Our work focusing on the poorest communities has highlighted time and again the extremely high prevalence of mental ill-health and the compounding effect that it has on people and families already battling to live amongst challenging circumstances. Transforming mental health and tackling poverty - A policy report by the Mental Health Working Group (PDF 2,525KB)

Research summary mental health and emotional wellbeing

Profiling your research and receiving future updates - To receive copies of the full research updates you can become a member of AYPH by visiting the following website www.youngpeopleshealth.org.uk or email info@youngpeopleshealth.org.uk

They currently produce research updates quarterly. Summaries of research updates are available in the research section of their website.  For full details on Research Summary Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing (PDF  224KB) 

Thousands of children at risk from parents who misuse alcohol

Thousands of children living with parents with drink problems are at risk of depression, anxiety and increased anger.  Alcohol misuse within families is an escalating concern, according to a new report published today (Tuesday).  The findings from Turning Point, the health and social care organisation, reveal that parents who misuse alcohol risk damaging their children’s lives and futures.
 
The report called Bottling it up: The next generation is warning that early screening and identification of families is needed urgently.  This is to prevent the inter-generational cycle of alcohol misuse which blights the lives of children and undermines their chances of school and job success.
 
An estimated 2.6 million children live with parents who are hazardous drinkers, and around 33,000 adults who are in treatment for alcohol problems also have parental responsibilities.
 
Bottling it up: The next generation reveals that nearly half (5,326) of people who used Turning Point’s alcohol treatment services last year were parents.

The report in full can be accessed here (PDF 890KB)

South Gloucestershire secondary school lunch time experience survey

As part of their commitment towards improving the health and well-being of children and young people, the South Gloucestershire Healthy Schools multi-agency steering group (Appendix 1) commissioned the University of the West of England, Bristol to undertake a snapshot research project entitled: Getting a local picture of influences on food choices for young people across the school day.  The main aim of this research was to find out what young people really think and feel about eating and food during the school day. It was anticipated that the findings would inform and challenge local thinking around young people’s food experiences and help to assist policy makers to understand the key influences on decisions that young people make about food and eating behaviour. 

To report can be accessed here (PDF 328kb)

Does training in a systematic approach to emotional abuse improve the quality of childrens' services?

Emotional abuse is the second most common reason for children becoming the subject of a child protection plan in England. This research brief presents the findings from a study that examined whether training in a systematic approach to emotional abuse improves the quality of childrens' services.

The report can be accessed here (PDF 85KB)

Evaluation of the National Academy of Parenting Practitioners’ Training Offer in evidence based parenting programmes

A growing body of evidence suggests that when evidence-based interventions are implemented at scale with families that need them, significant population-wide benefits can be achieved. These benefits include significant reductions in school failure, youth crime, adolescent drug and alcohol misuse and child abuse. This research report describes findings from the evaluation of the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners‟ (NAPP) training offer in evidence-based parenting interventions. The evaluation‟s key objective was to understand the value and impact of the Academy‟s training programme as it was implemented.

The report can be accessed here (PDF 888KB)

Staying Put: 18+ Family Placement Programme (Peer Research Report) 

The Staying Put: 18 Plus Family Placement Programme offers young people in foster care the opportunity to remain with their carers until they reach 21, so that they can maintain and develop their existing relationships and be supported to make a gradual move to independence at their own pace.  It aims to support transitions that are similar to those experienced by young people in the general population.  This summary report reflects the views and experiences of young people from six pilot authorities.

To see a copy of the full report please click here (PDF 4,872KB)

Supporting and promoting the Health needs of Looked after Children in Wales

The Looked after Children Health Exchange (LACHE), coordinated by Children in Wales, has released this new Practice Guide which provides a practice and operational overview for individuals and organisations with a keen interest in supporting and promoting the health needs of Looked after Children in Wales.
The guide outlines the current policy context and discusses the views of Looked after Children as well as looking and key issues and the role of professionals.

The report can be accessed here (PDF 1,165KB)

Evaluation of the Staying Put: 18 Plus Family Placement Programme: final report

The overarching aim of the Evaluation of the Staying Put: 18 Plus Family Placement Programme pilot was to assess the effectiveness and impact of the staying put pilots in meeting their objectives and promoting positive outcomes for young people making the transition from care to independence.

The report can be accessed here (PDF 552KB)

Children’s care monitor 2011: Children on the state of social care in England
Reported by the Children’s Rights Director for England

This year, the monitor survey included a new focus on childrens' experiences of placement change in care. Just over half (55 per cent) of the children in care in the 2011 survey said they were only given a week or less notice before they were last moved to live in a different placement. Twenty three per cent reported that they were given no notice at all of their last move and were told on the same day they were moved. As in previous years, the 2011 survey found a high level of separation of siblings in care. Up to the time of the survey, the average number of times children responding had moved placements had risen from four in 2010 to five in 2011. Well over half (57 per cent) of children in care surveyed said they had no choice of placement the last time they were moved

The Report can be accessed here (PDF 1,062KB)

Guidance on U16 pregnancy checks

Determining pregnancy status in young female patients under 16 years of age is an area that clinicians may find difficult.  Whilst regulators state it is required before surgical or radiological procedures the ethical, practical and contextual considerations can compromise compliance with good practice. This practical guide sets out the considerations and approaches that NHS organisations may consider when developing their policies in this area.  Supported by all the major professional clinical bodies and backed with evident statistics and tools it aims to support local members in brokering conversations and agreement around this sensitive process.

For more information, please visit www.rcpch.ac.uk/pregnancychecks