Ministers push for special needs overhaul
The Guardian
Ministers are actively lobbying Labour MPs regarding an overhaul of special educational needs (SEND) provisions, amid warnings from opposition members against cost-saving measures. The proposed changes would raise the qualifications for children in England to receive an education, health and care plan (EHCP), limiting access mainly to those with severe needs. Concerns arise that these measures could jeopardise long-established legal rights, endangering inclusion efforts. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson assures MPs that the revision is not a cost-cutting measure, highlighting a 50% funding increase for high-needs provisions to £11bn per year. However, local authorities face significant debt due to escalating SEND costs, urging the Government to ensure a balanced financial strategy without eroding essential legal protections for children. Some MPs believe that significant trust-building measures are necessary to address the broken SEND system, as parents express scepticism over potential improvements.
Local charities raise alarm over SEND changes
The Guardian
Charities have warned ministers that the rights of disabled children are “red lines” as the Government prepares major reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in England. The Disabled Children’s Partnership, backed by groups including Mencap and the National Autistic Society, has written to education secretary Bridget Phillipson warning against any dilution of legal protections. While welcoming proposals for more funding and support in mainstream schools, charities fear reforms could weaken education, health and care plans (EHCPs), restrict eligibility, disrupt placements or undermine the SEND tribunal. They insist legally enforceable support, accountability and protections into adulthood must be preserved to maintain trust in the system.
SEND parents fear loss of support, poll finds
The Guardian The I The Independent UK
A poll of 1,000 parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), commissioned by the charity Sense, has found that 47% fear that they could lose out on support due to the Government’s plans to reform SEND services – while 40% have already had to cut their working hours, and 35% have left jobs altogether, due to a lack of appropriate support. The survey comes as teaching unions have spoken out against plans to reserve education, health and care plans, which entitle children to support from their local council, to those children whose needs cannot be met through a new four-tier system in mainstream settings. Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, says the “legal framework” around SEND services “is not the problem; the lack of investment and capacity is”.
Union calls for action on attacks on special school staff
The Daily Record
A new report from the Edinburgh branch of the Unison trade union has raised fresh concerns over the frequency of attacks on special school staff by pupils, with one school reporting 26 separate injuries in a single week. The union has shared images of some of the injuries sustained by staff, with Katrina Baird from Unison saying one member’s face was “badly bruised due to being punched by a high school age child in a special school”, while another member needed treatment for six months due to a “severe” bite from a child, while another is currently off work after her ankle was broken by repeated kicks. The union has urged City of Edinburgh Council to put “preventative measures” in place to better protect staff.
Only suspend pupils in most serious cases, schools told
BBC News The Daily Telegraph The Guardian
The Department for Education (DfE) is to issue new guidance to schools calling for suspensions to be reserved for only the most serious cases of poor behaviour, including violence. The DfE is to launch a consultation on new policy proposals that aim to keep more children in “internal exclusion” units at school in less severe cases, with the department saying in a statement that decades on from the introduction of suspensions, suspensions at home can now mean “unfettered access to friends and online gaming – doing little to address behaviour, enforce punishment or re-engage pupils with learning”. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the Government wants to “restore suspensions as the serious sanction they should be, while keeping young people engaged in their education and reducing the time teachers spend helping pupils catch up”.
Councils will ‘assess home environment’ of home-schooled children
BBC News
Education minister Baroness Smith of Malvern has said in the House of Lords that new measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will require councils to “assess the child’s home environment” within 15 days of their addition to the register of children not in school. Baroness Smith said that for “many families, a visit from their elective home education officer is already a routine part of an annual check-in”, and that the new requirement will form part of the Government’s response to the inquiry into the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif at the hands of her father and stepmother.
Kent County Council calls for government support on child migrants
Financial Times The Times
Kent County Council has urged the Government to address the rising costs of caring for child migrants after Ofsted downgraded its children’s services from outstanding to requiring improvement. Reform UK leader Linden Kemkaran highlighted the exceptional demands on the council, noting that 12,000 asylum-seeking children entered care from 2015 to 2025. Last year, Kent spent £41.6m on asylum seeker social care, nearly double that of Hampshire. Kemkaran stated: “No council can absorb this sustained underfunding indefinitely,” calling for government action on border control and asylum claim processing. Separately, senior councillors at Kent County Council have acknowledged that their cost-cutting initiative, inspired by Elon Musk, has not uncovered significant waste.
Dozens of families to sue nursery after sexual assaults against girls
The Daily Telegraph The Times
Families are suing Bright Horizons over alleged safeguarding failures after a nursery employee pleaded guilty to 56 sexual offences. Vincent Chan abused children aged three and four at the company’s Finchley Road nursery in north London, filming the acts during nap time. Initially involving 12 families, the legal action now includes 46, who claim parental concerns were repeatedly dismissed. The nursery has closed. The families are seeking accountability through civil courts and have urged Camden Council to consider further action, while an independent safeguarding review is under way.
Sheffield school report highlights safeguarding gaps
BBC News
A report on the murder of 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield has revealed significant safeguarding shortcomings. Harvey was fatally stabbed by his former friend, Mohammed Umar Khan, during lunch on February 3rd 2025. The report, commissioned by St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Trust and conducted by Learn Sheffield, recommends improved policies for handling knife incidents and enhanced staff training. CEO Steve Davies stated: “It is clear that the report identifies areas for improvement.” The trust has begun implementing several measures to address these issues.
‘Urgent steps’ taken after toddler found in grit bin
STV BBC News Edinburgh Evening News The Daily Record
City of Edinburgh Council says that “urgent steps” have been taken to prevent a repeat of an incident where a two-year-old child was found “cold, shivering and disorientated” in a yellow grit bin in the playground at Maybury Primary School, where he was in the care of the school’s Early Learning and Childcare service. It later emerged that the school had discontinued a previously-agreed “tag-team supervision” measure intended to keep track of his movements. Council leader Cllr Jane Meagher said the Care Inspectorate had been informed, and said it was “simply unacceptable that such a young child could be unaccounted for and put at risk, particularly in a place where they should be safe and cared for”.
Fettes College facing compensation claims
The Times
Fettes College in Edinburgh is facing significant compensation claims related to extensive allegations of abuse spanning decades. A report by former judge Lady Smith accused the school of failing to protect children from widespread abuse, leading to ongoing civil claims that may total millions of pounds. Survivors have come forward, revealing severe misconduct by staff, with notable cases resulting in substantial settlements. Concerns have also been raised regarding the school’s management and a possible corporate prosecution for neglecting safeguarding issues.
Former headmaster guilty of abuse
BBC News
Alexander Cameron, 88, has been found guilty of abusing six boys at Ovenstone School in Fife between 1982 and 1992. He used a belt, nicknamed “Hungry Horace”, despite its ban in Scottish schools. Cameron admitted to hitting pupils with a gym shoe but claimed it was a “token form of corporal punishment.” Cameron was granted bail pending social work reports after being convicted of six charges, while he was cleared of five others, including endangering a pupil’s life.
Eton teacher sentenced for student assault
The Daily Telegraph
Jacob Leland, a former Russian teacher at Eton College, has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison for sexually assaulting a vulnerable student. The 37-year-old was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault last year. Det Const Kelly Ware stated that Leland “completely abused” his position of trust, committing “abhorrent crimes” that will have lasting effects on the victim.
TECHNOLOGY
Debate over banning smartphones in schools intensifying
BBC News
The debate is intensifying over banning smartphones in English schools, with growing support from teachers, parents and politicians for clearer, possibly legal, restrictions. While most schools already operate “no see, no hear” policies, research suggests these measures do not fully prevent phone use during the school day. Headteachers argue that a statutory ban would create consistency, fairness and stronger parental buy-in but warn that implementation would require funding for lockers, pouches and enforcement. The Government currently recommends phone-free schools and is urging stricter compliance, while Parliament is considering amendments to formalise bans. Critics note that smartphones are deeply embedded in daily life, used for transport, revision, and communication, and that safeguarding concerns extend beyond school gates.
Kebede – Social media poses serious threat to children
Daily Express
Writing in the Daily Express, Daniel Kebede, the General Secretary of the National Education Union, argues that social media poses a serious threat to children in Britain, damaging their mental health, attention, and social skills. He criticises technology companies for exploiting young users with addictive, extreme, and explicit content, while government measures, such as consultations on raising the minimum age, are too slow. Kebede highlights evidence from teachers and campaigns showing strong public support for raising the social media age to 16. He cites Australia’s ban as a model and calls for immediate action to protect children from online harm, warning that without intervention their wellbeing and education will continue to suffer.
Sarwar vows to ban phones in schools
The Herald
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has pledged to ban mobile phones in classrooms if elected First Minister, citing concerns over pupil wellbeing, discipline and learning. He said phones are contributing to shorter attention spans, rising cyberbullying and worsening mental health, adding that teachers face increased stress and incidents of abuse. Sarwar said classrooms should prioritise learning and safety, and vowed to instruct staff to prohibit phones during lessons. Current Scottish Government guidance already allows headteachers to impose restrictions, including full bans, and several councils — including Moray and the City of Edinburgh — have introduced school-wide bans, with some schools using phone-locking pouches during the day.
Duke’s donation aims to curb phone use in schools
The Times
The Duke of Westminster has donated £250,000 to a scheme aimed at reducing mobile phone use in schools. The initiative, supported by Esther Ghey, mother of murder victim Brianna Ghey, seeks to provide pupils with lockable pouches for their phones during school hours. The Duke stated that the scheme would help alleviate anxiety from constant notifications. He is collaborating with Cheshire police and crime commissioner Dan Prince, who aims to implement a phone-free policy in all county schools. Ms Ghey remarked: “With the Duke of Westminster’s generous £250,000 contribution, more schools will be supported.”
Parents warned against recording teachers
BBC News
Aberdeenshire Council has written to parents and carers of school pupils to warn them against secretly recording conversations with teachers, saying that “a few individuals” had been responsible for such activity, with incidents including “inappropriate or disrespectful communication” and interactions which caused “distress or disruption” to staff. “Our staff are dedicated professionals who work hard to support your children”, he wrote, “and they must be able to carry out their duties free from intimidation, aggression, or inappropriate behaviour.”
Rethinking screen time in schools
The Guardian
Kristyna Skriczka argues in the Guardian that debates about children’s screen use overlook how heavily screens are embedded in schools. Lessons, activities, homework and even playtime increasingly rely on digital devices, normalising constant screen exposure from an early age. Skriczka says this undermines real-world interaction, free play and wellbeing. While parents are urged to limit screens at home, she calls for clearer guidance and more mindful use of technology in classrooms.
Roblox faces inquiry over child safety
The Times
Dutch regulator Authority for Consumers and Markets has launched an investigation into Roblox over child safety concerns, including exposure to violent or sexual content, adult targeting of minors and in-game purchasing practices. The probe will assess compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to protect children. Penalties could include fines or binding instructions.
HEALTH
New study to explore childhood blood disorders
BBC News
A groundbreaking study in Leeds will investigate the long-term effects of childhood blood disorders, including sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, and acute leukaemias. Researchers will analyse NHS, education, and social care records, alongside patient surveys. The Haematology Lived Experience and Outcomes (HALO) study aims to understand how these conditions impact health, life expectancy, education, and employment. Prof Richard Feltbower stated: “This study will shine a light on the experiences of people living with these conditions.” The £680,000 research is funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity and will involve Haemoglobinopathy Co-ordinating Centres across Northern England.
Norovirus cases surge among children
Mirror.co.uk
Cases of norovirus in the UK have risen by 73.8% among children under five, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The increase, noted from January 12 to 25, is significantly higher than the five-season average. Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at UKHSA, explained: “Norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks, particularly among those aged 65 years and over and is now increasing among children aged under five years as well.” Parents are urged to promote good hygiene and keep sick children at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms clear.
OTHER
Private equity firms dominate fostering sector
The Observer
Private equity has become the dominant force in England’s independent fostering sector, with more than 40 agencies acquired since 2015 and three London-based firms controlling a large share of placements. An Observer investigation found foster places in the independent sector can cost councils around £50,000 a year, compared with £26,000 for local authority provision, intensifying financial pressure on children’s services. Critics argue the model diverts public money into debt servicing and profits, rather than frontline care, while councils warn demand is outstripping supply. The market, worth about £2.2bn annually, has seen agencies repeatedly bought and sold, often with high borrowing levels. Regulators have previously described the sector as dysfunctional, though providers say independent agencies are essential for children with complex needs.
Wiltshire bans cars near schools
BBC News
Wiltshire Council has secured £140,000 for a pilot scheme banning vehicles outside six schools during drop-off and pick-up times. This initiative is part of the Wiltshire School Streets trial, aimed at enhancing safety and promoting active travel. The project, funded by Active Travel England, may expand to include more schools based on its success. An additional £29,000 will support a shared-use path in Quidhampton, linking to the National Cycle Network Route 24.
