Things in the Library - November

 Toddler development checks

The National Institute for Health & Care Research have found that about 1 in 4 children are missing their 2-2.5 year development checks. Children from deprived backgrounds, and those in local authority care, were less likely than other children to have these checks recorded. The Healthy Child Programme in England states that all children aged 2-2½ should have a health check by the health visiting team. Not all children receive these checks, and, before this study, it was not known whether certain groups are more likely to miss out.

Protecting children online

Ofcom has published a report looking at the measures taken by video sharing platforms to protect children and ensure that they do not view adult material including pornography. The report found that most UK sites do not have robust verification methods in place, and many sites merely require the user to check a box stating that they are 18 or over.

NSPCC Learning has created an e-learning course to help designated child protection leads understand the risks around children sharing nude images and how to respond appropriately. The course includes training on recognising when sharing imagery is harmful sexual behaviour, and steps to safeguard all young people involved.  

  

Workforce Census 2022

The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health has published an overview of paediatric and child health workforce, focusing on consultants and SAS doctors working in the UK. It includes recommendations and key findings graphics. 

Childhood obesity

From the Nuffield Trust:Despite numerous initiatives, there have been no improvements in the levels of childhood excess weight and obesity in England over recent years. Much of the research used to inform policy on childhood obesity has been based on ways of changing the behaviour of individuals rather than influences outside their control, like the characteristics of a local area. Understanding these external factors is particularly important for children, who cannot choose the environment they grow up in.

A Million & Me

Centre for Mental Health have released a report into A Million & Me, which  was developed by BBC Children in Need to explore how ordinary, trusted relationships can help children who are beginning to struggle with their mental wellbeing. Funded projects include including text and phone support for children, the production of digital resources and training for trusted adults, and activities aimed at boosting children’s wellbeing.

Things happening in Sheffield in November

Wreath making at Kelham Island Museum

Get festive and learn how to make a fresh Christmas door wreath  using locally sourced foliage, beautiful dried fruits, ribbons and sparkly bits and bobs. Enjoy hot drinks and mince pies while you craft the evening away, and come away with a beautiful hand-crafted wreath to decorate your door for the season. All abilities are welcome from complete beginners to experts and all materials will be provided. Thu, November 10, 2022, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Tickets here.

The Art of Play at the National Videogame Museum

Did you know that Sheffield is home to the National Videogame Museum?  Based in Castle House in the city centre, it is currently exhibiting The Art of Play, which showcases the artistry behind videogames

Recipe of the Month

These pear, apple and cider muffins are exactly the kind of treat to see us into November.

Things in the library 11 October...

Things about mental health...
Public Health England (PHE), in partnership with the NHS, launched Every Mind Matters this week to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.
It is increasingly recognised that taking care of our mental health is as important as maintaining good physical health. A new PHE survey reveals more than 8 in ten (83%) people have experienced early signs of poor mental health including feeling anxious, stressed, having low mood or trouble sleeping in the last 12 months. While these can be a natural response to life’s challenges, they can become more serious if people don’t take action, and many wait too long.

Things about childhood obesity...

An Independent Report by the Chief Medical Officer, 2019 Professor Dame Sally Davies was published yesterday. the media have picked up ,of course, on her comments about snacking on public transport. If you want to read the actual report click here. There are some truly shocking facts such as each week 738 children, enough to fill 13 school buses, are admitted to hospital to have teeth removed due to decay. Until recently type 2 diabetes was considered an adult disease. The first cases of the condition were reported in children [8 cases] in England in 2000. Today there are over 100 new diagnoses each year and over 700 children living with the condition. 

Things musical...

 The new season at University of Sheffield Concerts kicks off on 17th October with multi-award winning fiddler, composer and producer Aidan O'Rourke (Lau) and Mercury Prize nominee pianist Kit Downes, they will be performing from their latest album 365:Volume Two. Bold, tender, full of old truths and distilled modern wit, their music is built on the beauty of the miniature. Both the album and this concert are a collaboration between artists steeped in tradition but constantly breaking new ground. There a wide variety of musical events at the University which you can enjoy.

Things about gaming addiction...

Children and young adults who are seriously addicted to computer games will now be able to get help on the NHS after the launch of country’s first specialist clinic.The new service is part of the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions which will also provide support for internet addiction and is located alongside the National Problem Gambling Clinic. It comes amid growing concerns about the amount of time children and teenagers spend playing online games and the impact it can have on their mental health. The World Health Organization has recently classified gaming disorder as a mental health condition for the first time.
The new Centre for Internet and Gaming Disorders launches at the same time as the children and young person’s gambling addiction service goes live. The service will be hosted by the Central and North West London mental health trust and be located alongside the National Problem Gambling Clinic.

Things about children's wellbeing...
In a research report from Dept of Education,  'State of the nation 2019: children and young people’s wellbeing' the headline messages are:

• The majority of children and young people are happy with their lives, but it remains the case that many are not.
• Age is consistently associated with decreasing wellbeing in children and young people as they get older.
• Looking at only average wellbeing may mask important differences in the experiences of different groups of children and young people, at different times in their lives
• In their focus on psychological health in teenage girls they found that bullying, including online bullying, had the strongest association with their psychological health.

Things about Bobby Seagull...

University Challenge Star and the UK’s best-known Maths teacher, Bobby Seagull, becomes a CILIP Library Champion with the launch of his 10-point Manifesto for Libraries. This manifesto includes:

 Implement the recommendations of the independent Topol Review to enable librarians and knowledge specialists to transform evidence-based healthcare;

 You can see the range of services we offer to help you in your work on our website

Comfort food...
It is so miserable outside that I think a comfort food recipe is called for - but one that is relatively healthy! Pork & apple stew with parsley & thyme dumplings