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 - October

Why work with Librarians and Knowledge Specialists?

Because we can help you! Watch this video to find out more.

Unseen Men

NSPCC Learning has released a new blog as part of a series looking at the importance of language in safeguarding, focusing on the use of the terms like “hidden men” and “invisible fathers”. The blog discusses how fathers and male caregivers are often overlooked by services, and how using alternative phrases such as “unseen men” can prompt professionals to think about how they could identify the men in a child’s life and consider any support or protection needs.

Smoking and Vaping in Children

NHS Digital have released figures showing that less children smoke and take drugs than they used to. Among 11-15 year olds, there has been a 3% decrease in smoking and a 5% decrease in drug taking. However it also showed a 3% increase in children of the same age-group vaping.

Anaemia in the Perioperative Pathway

The Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) have a new Guideline for the Management of Anaemia in the Perioperative Pathway. It is for all ages, but also includes specific recommendations for those working with children, with Sheffield Children's own Dr Nadia Ladak leading on the paediatric side.

Mental Health

The Centre for Mental Health reports on two psychologists from Project Future embedding in a youth group, and how they supported young men with their mental wellbeing and provided training, advice and support to the youth workers there. 

 Placing mental health workers in a youth club enables them to reach young people who would not normally trust mental health services. By using game-based activities to engage and educate young men about their wellbeing, it creates an openness about mental health that traditional approaches cannot achieve. And by bringing the complementary skills of psychologists and youth workers together, it takes the stigma away from mental health.

 Primary School Weight Measurement

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities reports on the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data, the first national analysis of the same children from reception to year 6. The majority of children were a healthy weight in reception (84.7%), and of these 78.8% remained a healthy weight in year 6. Children in the most deprived areas and of a minority ethnic background were less likely to remain a healthy weight by year 6. 

Things to do in Sheffield in October

Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Odyssey

On 7th and 8th October at the Lyceum Theatre you can go to see Rush, and hear the story of Reggae music and the Windrush Generation. Narrated by comedian John Simmit and featuring ska, rock steady, calypso, gospel, lovers rock, dancehall and Reggae played live by the JA Reggae Band.

Makers Market 

Millennium Gallery are hosting high-quality stalls from local makers selling illustration, ceramics, jewellery design, woodworking, textiles, and glassware. This will be held on 8th October from 11 til 4.

Recipe of the Month

This Mexican-inspired pumpkin (or squash) soup from Riverford is really warming and tasty with a lovely crunch from some broken tortilla chips. It has lots of ingredients but it's easy to make and reaps the reward in flavour. Jarlsberg cheese ✓ sweet chilli sauce ✓ kidney beans ✓ Delicious!

Things in the Library - September

RSV Research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are, along with the pharmaceutical company Sanofi, conducting a study called the Harmonie study looking at how well a one-off injection protects babies from RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Children up to 12 months of age and entering their first RSV season, will be given Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody. RSV is a leading cause of hospital admittance for infants, and this will be the biggest study looking to look at this preventative drug.

Polio

Polio has been found in sewage in London, as well as in New York and Israel. Read this BBC explainer to find out what polio is, how it is spread, and how it has been discovered again.

Health Inequalities in England

The Health Foundation have published a study showing that people living in the most deprived parts of England are diagnosed with serious illness earlier and die sooner than their peers in more affluent areas. They used linked hospital and primary care data to examine socioeconomic, regional and ethnic variations in the prevalence of diagnosed long-term illnesses including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. This was especially true of people with Pakistani, Bangladeshi and black Caribbean backgrounds.

Whole-Genome Sequencing for Newborn Babies

The Lancet reports on the UK Newborn Genomes Programme, which was created by Genomics England to oversee plans to undertake whole-genome sequencing of up to 200 000 newborn babies. Working with the NHS, they will start recruiting in 2023, examining whether screening healthy babies for arange of rare genetic conditions could improve outcomes. The requirement for screening is that it should only be done if there is strong evidence that the selected variant causes a condition that takes hold in childhood, would adversely affect the child's health or wellbeing if left untreated, and for which there are effective and accessible interventions or treatments available.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour

NSPCC Learning has released the latest blog from the why language matters series. This blog looks at harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), the importance of focusing on a child’s actions rather than labelling them as an abuser, and the impact language can have on professionals’ perceptions and a child’s self-identity.  

Children's Social Care

The Children's Society have written a blog which explains what children's social care is in a simple, engaging way. They want to highlight how cuts local authorities and under-investment in children's services over the last decade have led to children and young people being more likely to suffer abuse, neglect or exploitation inside and outside the home. 

Things to do in Sheffield in September

Sheffield Ghost Walk

Get spooky early this year with Strange Sheffield Ghost Walk, which is happening on the 2nd and 16th September. There will be spooky stories, ghostly encounters and plenty of strange tales with a good dose of local history too. Adult tickets cost £7.50 (over 14s), under 14s tickets are £5 - children can attend at their parents' discretion. If you're in South Sheffield you can also check out the Graves Park Ghost Walk - Bunting Nook by the side of the Park is said to be Sheffield's most haunted place.

Sheffield Showcase

There is heaps going on in the first weekend in September to highlight the masses of cultural activity that takes place in Sheffield. It'll feature film screenings, music performances, art exhibits, family-friendly workshops, and more. Try circus tricks, community gardening or go and see some jazz. There is something for everyone - check out the programme here. 

Recipe of the month

'Tis the season for bramble picking. If you don't scoff them all as soon as you've picked them, you can put your blackberries in a pie, which is what I hope to be doing soon - I might skip the latticing though!

Things in the library - August

Why Language Matters

NSPCC Learning has released the first in a new series of blogs looking at the effects of language used in safeguarding and child protection. This first blog discusses health professionals shifting from recording children’s missed healthcare appointments from “did not attend” to “was not brought” and the impact this can have on wellbeing. A child has no input on whether they will attend an appointment, and is entirely reliant on their caregiver to ensure that they receive adequate healthcare.  

Active Children over Summer

The government has relaunched its 10 Minute Shake Up campaign, aimed at encouraging parents of primary school aged children to get their kids active in the summer holidays. Without PE lessons and daily walks to and from school, children's activity often falls over summer, and this campaign uses some favourite Disney characters to create active games for children to enjoy, involving characters from Marvel, Lightyear, Encanto and Frozen.

Better care for people with a learning disability and people with autism

The Department of Health & Social Care has published the Building the Right Support Action Plan which aims to offer better support from birth, better preventative support in the community and work to improve quality of care for for people with a learning disability and autistic people. They want to ensure that people can live independently in their own home, as part of a community, and to limit the scope under which people with a learning disability and autistic people can be detained by reforming the Mental Health Act to improve how people are treated in law.

A Community-Powered NHS

The think tank New Local has proposed a radical shift towards a healthcare system focused as much on preventing illness as treating it by working collaboratively with communities as equal partners in the design and delivery of healthcare. They believe that prevention is at the heart of a sustainable future for the NHS. In the report, entitled A Community-Powered NHS, they talk about the state, market and community paradigms of the NHS, and in particular the limits of the state and market elements and the strengths of the community. Wider issues such as poverty, racism and a poor-quality environment have huge impacts on community health, and improving these issues can help the NHS can be fit for the 21st century.

Diving Beneath the Surface of Poverty

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has just published it's new report on poverty in the UK, which shows that although the actual number of people in poverty has not moved a great deal, those who are are living in increasingly deeper levels of poverty. This is especially true for larger families, who find themselves increasingly unable to afford basic essentials.

National Child Measurement Programme

The findings of the National Child Measurement Programme for 2021/22 have been published. They show that obesity rates have decreased in the two cohorts measured, 4-5 year old in reception and 10-11 year olds in year 6.

Health Profile for Yorkshire & the Humber 2021

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities produce the Local Authority Health Profiles, which provide an overview of health for each local authority in England. You can see Sheffield's as well as a comprehensive snapshot of the region, the Health Profile for Yorkshire & the Humber. The report shows how Covid 19 has impacted people in the region differently, specifically hitting ethnic minorities, those with existing health problems, and those living in deprived areas. 

Things to do in Sheffield in August

A summer of Lego

If you have children to entertain over the summer holidays, or if you are a really big nerd just really like Lego and/or dinosaurs, Sheffield Bricktropolis' Brickosaurs is a must-see this August. From 6th-21st August there will be a trail of 15 Lego dinosaurs to find in the city centre. You can get a map for £1 from  Explorer Central (next to the Winter Gardens) and you'll have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a family holiday to Legoland Windsor.

Alpaca Life Drawing

Head over to Holly Hagg Community Farm to try some alpaca life drawing on the 13th and 20th August. This extremely cute activity is open to all drawing abilities, adults and children. See the information in the link to sign up. Please keep an eye on the weather and your emails after booking – the events can only go ahead if it's not raining!

Recipe of the month

Adding to the cute animals theme (if you're into that sort of thing) and in honour of the England Lionesses making it into the Women's Euro's final on Sunday, here are some very adorable lion cupcakes to enjoy with the match. You can make them from scratch, or you can decorate some pre-bought. Either way, up the Lionesses!

Things in the Library - July

Here is the Illingworth Library July blog - one week later than promised, because both life and June travel fast.

NHS in England

The Kings Fund have posted a really great video which explains how the NHS works, and how it is changing.

"What are the key organisations that make up the NHS? And how can they collaborate with partners in the health and care system to deliver joined-up care? Watch our animation to find out."

Voices of England’s Missing Children

The Children's Commissioner for England published a report of the findings of an audit of children regularly missing from education settings. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the disruption to education faced by children since the beginning of the pandemic, their number has almost doubled since 2018/19 to 1.7 million. The report gives six ambitions to account for every child:

• Ambition 1. Ask, Listen, Communicate: decisions about children’s education need to be made with children, their families and other adults in their lives.
• Ambition 2. Meet children where they are: all children receive support in school, through families of schools.
• Ambition 3. Exclusion as a trigger for intervention: children should receive a fantastic education, regardless of setting, always and receive targeted support following exclusion or suspension.
• Ambition 4. Letting children be children: no child should feel that they need to miss school to support or care for their family.
• Ambition 5. Attendance is everyone’s business: school leaders have a relentless focus on attendance and work together with LAs to ensure children are supported to be in school and to attend regularly.
• Ambition 6. No more ‘known unknowns’: lack of information should no longer be the reason why children are not receiving a suitable education.

Sexting

Revealing Reality has released a report, supported by the PSHE Association, which looks at sexting. The report highlights the extent of the issue and the unequal way it affects young people depending on their gender, socioeconomic circumstances and self-perception. Findings from a survey of 5,197 14-18-year-olds include: 61% of girls have been asked to share a nude image compared with 31% of boys; and nearly two thirds of girls from a disadvantaged background had been asked to send a nude image, compared with half of the girls from non-disadvantaged backgrounds. 

National Paediatric Diabetes Audit

The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health has published 'Care processes and outcomes' the national, annual report from the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit highlighting the main findings on the quality of care for children and young people with diabetes mellitus in England and Wales. Read it here.

PANTS for Makaton

The NSPCC has created new PANTS resources to keep children who communicate using Makaton safe from sexual abuse. PANTS (the five underwear rules) supports parents and carers to have conversations with their child to help keep them safe from sexual abuse. The resources include Makaton guides explaining the rules and setting out the importance of having these conversations with children.

Things to do in Sheffield in July

July is always a bumper month in Sheffield. Beginning the month is the new exhibition at the Millennium Gallery, Creative Connections Sheffield which runs from 30th June-2nd October. The exhibition brings together over 30 works from the National Portrait Gallery and Sheffield’s own collection, including portraits of Alex Turner, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sean Bean, Self Esteem, Otis Mensah, Helen Sharman, Mary, Queen of Scots and more. 

If you like architecture you may get a kick out of Out & About Urban Futures Weekends, happening over four weekends beginning the first weekend in July. You can try print making, sculpting a new landscape, and learn about art-led housing.

On the 16th there's Pinknic, Sheffield's biggest Pride event this year - it's a family-friendly event with stalls and performers from across the TV-talent-show board, and it starts with a unity walk beginning at Orchard Square at 11am.

And of course at the end of the month there is Tramlines, Sheffield's biggest music festival which requires no introduction - go and see Self Esteem!

Something to make

Tomato & harissa stew with cheddar dumplings is July's recipe of the month. These cheese dumplings are the perfect dumpling consistency, and the flavour of the harissa goes really well with them.  It also involves chickpeas and perfectly cooked courgettes. I make it all year round, and it's good for the type of warm-but-rainy day that this blog is being written on.

Things in the Library - June

 Things changing a bit...

From now on the blog will be published once a month, on the last Friday of each month, giving you a bumper blog full of things we think you might want to know.

Things about NHS libraries...

13th-17th June is NHS Library & Knowledge Services Awareness Week. We think we're pretty great of course, and we hope that if we have helped you to find evidence, to organise your emails, to find an article that you just can't find anywhere, to reference that weird document, or to find that blue and white book that you saw last year but can't remember what it's called or who it's by - that maybe you think we're great too!

Things about health inequalities...

The Health Foundation and the Association for Young People's Health have mapped the inequalities experienced by young people from different groups. People aged 10-25 in the poorest areas of the UK will die earlier than their peers in the least deprived areas, and will live 18 more years with ill health. Rachael McKeown says:

"Young people growing up in deprived areas are less likely to have access to resources and support that allow them to live healthy lives. They are more likely to live in overcrowded housing, with limited access to the space and tools needed to exercise, learn and look after their health. Because they may experience transitions in all of these areas during their teens, adolescence is a defining period for young people’s health. Inequalities between individuals and groups can become established and embedded at this time."

Things about health visiting...

The NSPCC has published a news story looking at health visiting services in England and calling on the government to ensure all families receive the five face-to-face health visits they’re entitled to. Findings from analysis of Public Health England data include: in 2021, 19% of babies didn’t receive their 12-month health visitor review by the time they were 15-months-old. 25 organisations, including the NSPCC, have written to the government in an open letter calling for the rebuilding of the health visiting service and highlighting the importance of checks in identifying and supporting new parents experiencing or at risk of mental health problems.  

 Things about nurses...

The BBC has reported that nearly half of the new nurses and midwives registered to work in the UK in the past year have come from abroad. More than 23,000 nurses and midwives have been recruited from abroad, a record high, with most coming from India and the Philippines. It is hoped that the number of new nurses in the UK will keep increasing - the overall number of nurses currently in training has started to rise after the reintroduction of some funding support for student nurses in England in 2020, three years after bursaries were scrapped.

Things to make...

I have some béchamel sauce to use up this weekend, so being from Teesside OF COURSE I have to make myself a parmo. Most of the time I eat vegetarian but the parmo is one thing I make an exception for because heritage is important. This recipe is from North East Recipes, though I have to take exception to a parmo being listed under 'Geordie recipes'! It looks horrible, it's about as unhealthy as you can get, but it tastes just like heaven (or, 2am in a kebab shop in Middlesbrough).

Things in the Library 20th May

Things about SIDS...

There has been a lot of news this week about a research paper by Harrington et al, Butyrylcholinesterase is a potential biomarker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It was a small study in Australia which found  lower levels of an enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase, which helps control the autonomic nervous system, in babies who went on to die from SIDS than babies who went on to be healthy or die from other causes. The study has been reported on widely, and The Atlantic have published an article called How a SIDS Study Became a Media Train Wreck pointing to a lack of rigour in the scientific reporting. Regardless of any sensationalist reporting, it is a very interesting research study which could go on to have a big impact. 

Things about eating disorders...

The Nuffield Trust has been exploring the waiting times for children & young people with eating disorders seeking treatment in England. The number of children waiting for urgent treatment is at a record high due to the pandemic - from Q1 2020/22 to Q3 2021/22,  waiting lists more than trebled for routine treatment and were more than two times higher for urgent treatment. They say:

 "The increase in referrals during the Covid-19 pandemic may indicate a worsening of children and young people’s mental health. Additionally, many risk factors for eating disorders have been exacerbated during the pandemic, such as social isolation, loss of routine, and difficulties accessing face-to-face clinical appointments."

Things for neurodiverse nurses...

The Royal College of Nursing has released some new guidance providing support to nursing staff and students who are neurodiverse. The publications include information on how to shape a more inclusive workplace, gain equal access to training and professional development, as well as advice on recruitment processes, job applications and reasonable adjustments.

Things about allergies...

The parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, a 15 year old who died from an allergic reaction to a baguette which wasn't labelled with allergens, have set up a clinical trial on oral immunotherapy. The trial will see whether commonly available food products, such as milk and peanuts, can be used under medical supervision to treat those with food allergies, and will be led by the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

Things about physical activity...

The National Institute for Health and Care Research has published research which shows that the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns led to an around 13% decrease in the amount of exercise being done by children. Perhaps most interestingly, activity levels did not return to higher levels after lockdowns and have remained lower. The study also revealed an increase in time sedentary time. The UK Chief Medical Officers  recommend all children and young people should take part in an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. This is an activity that gets children slightly hot, slightly sweaty, and out of breath. The Chief Medical Officers also advise children should limit the amount of time they spend being sedentary.  

Things to do...

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, Weston Park May Fayre is happening on Sunday 22nd May, between 11am and 5pm. There will be children's rides, a craft marquee, board games, Stormtroopers, food, drinks, and some amazing sideshow and street entertainment  including Dr Phantasma's Sideshow, Professor Jon’s Flea Circus Show, and the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band.

Things to make...

This ginger and lime cheesecake recipe is for individual puds, but can easily be scaled up to make a big one. Perfectly light, perfectly creamy, perfect.