Abuse

• Union calls for action to prevent violence against school support staff

  The union for school support staff has called on councils and schools to sign a charter of demands to help prevent violence against support staff in schools.

  

• Thousands of babies at risk due to children’s services cuts

  There are nearly 16,000 babies growing up in households where they are at risk from harm, the commission that monitors the care of children has warned.

  

• People who abuse election candidates could be banned from public office

  People who abuse and intimidate those standing for election could be stripped of their right to hold public office under new government proposals.

  

• Former council leader censured for ‘repeated’ sexual harassment

  A former leader of Devon County Council has been censured for ‘sustained and repeated’ sexual harassment of female members of staff.

  

• Telford leader calls for public inquiry into child sexual exploitation

  Telford council has called for an independent inquiry into cases of child sexual exploitation after revelations that up to 1,000 girls may have been victims of grooming gangs.

  

• Council apologises for historical child sex abuse

  The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has apologised to victims of historical child sex abuse, admitting the council failed to protect some children.

  

• Council reaches settlement with victims of alleged paedophile

  A council has agreed to pay eight victims of an alleged paedophile in an out-of-court settlement.

  

• Counting the cost of foster care abuse

  Ceri Sian Williams warns local authorities could face a significant increase in foster care abuse claims following a recent court ruling.

  

• Directors call for more cash to tackle domestic abuse

  Councils need more sustainable funding to invest in the prevention of the domestic abuse of children, say directors of children’s services.

  

• Rochdale council apologises for child abuse scandal ‘failings’

  Rochdale council has apologised for its ‘significant failings’ ahead of an investigation into child abuse at two institutions.