Latest news with #Barnardo
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
How street sex workers are helping police stop child abuse
WARNING: This article contains details of a sexual nature and child sex abuse. If you have been affected by anything in this story, help can be found at the BBC Action line. As darkness falls, street sex workers are helping police and a charity to protect a city's most at-risk children. Often the eyes and ears after dark, the women have been providing vital information on child exploitation to the Night Light initiative in Bristol and helping to bring child sex offenders to justice. "If you think there's a chance you're leaving a child in that position, you've got to stay. You've got to find out." Anna, whose real identity the BBC is protecting, is in her 50s and worked on the streets of Bristol over a 30-year period. She says she is now "retired", but has been key to the success of a unique project helping to put dangerous criminals in prison. On one occasion a man, who was paying her for sex, asked her to engage in role-play, where she had to pretend to be a primary school age girl. "It was really unpleasant. Sickening to be honest," she said. "I had to carry on for three months, but I couldn't walk away until I knew what was happening." After reporting her concerns to the police, it turned out the man was abusing his eight-year-old daughter. Anna testified against him in court and he has now been sent to prison. In another case, a man showed her child abuse photos on his phone so horrific she could not watch but reported him to the authorities and he is now awaiting trial. "You can't not do something about that," she said. "I see that kid's face every time I shut my eyes." The street sex workers are vital eyes and ears after dark [BBC] The sex workers are not only helping to catch child abusers, but also helping to identify children at risk of exploitation and get underage girls off the streets. "The streets are scary. They are dark, they are lonely," Megan, not her real name, said. "For underage women, like just so young, children, to be going through whatever they are going through, wherever they are, I can't bear to imagine." Megan is one of those working with Avon and Somerset Police and children's charity Barnardo's Night Light team - providing them with vital intelligence about the children she sees after dark. "My hectic day-to-day lifestyle [as a sex worker] is troubling, exhausting, and very miserable, to just have that little bit of positivity brought through something I have achieved and done personally, is great. It makes me feel proud," she said. Night Light started in 2020 during the Covid lockdowns. The streets had become quieter, exposing the children who were at risk of being exploited, hanging around in the part of Bristol where sex is bought and sold. Yas (left) told the BBC she no longer hangs out on the streets [BBC] Paige, not her real name, was vulnerable and just 15 when she was spotted with her sister. She told the BBC that at the time, she wasn't aware of the danger she could be in. "We were out because we didn't want to be at home, as we thought being out at night was safer than home," Paige said. Forced on to the street she was approached by men being "nice", offering her food, drinks or lifts and getting into their cars. "I didn't think I was at risk, but looking back now I see things a lot differently," she said. Paige and her sister initially ran away from the Night Light team on at least two occasions. But identified as being at risk of sexual exploitation, the team eventually caught up with her and explained the danger she was in. Paige has now been placed in a foster home. Now 19, Yas - not her real name - has also been helped by the team. "They [men] would ask me if I wanted go to their place and if I want any drink or like they'd offer me balloons [nitrous oxide]," she said. "Back then I couldn't see why they were asking that. I thought they just wanted to have fun, in like the innocent way, but now I've realised they were probably asking me to go back so that I would have sex with them." Now supported by Night Light, Yas said thinking about the situation she was in makes her feel "creeped out" and scared for other young people. The potential and benefits of using street sex workers to help stop child exploitation was first realised by Jo Ritchie, a social worker employed by Barnardo's. She now works closely with Rose Brown, a sex work liaison officer from Avon and Somerset Police, as well as Bristol City Council. Jo recalled one of the first women she spoke to, saying her knowledge was so good it was like she was part of the police investigation. "She knew everything. But what was really sad, was at the end, she said 'but what can I do? I'm just a sex worker'. "And that really struck me. I really felt, actually, we could really do with your help." In 2024 the Night Light team had 124 conversations with street sex workers – who have made 65 reports about dangerous men and highlighted around 20 young people at risk of exploitation. The Night Light team patrol Bristol's roads talking to sex workers and young people [BBC] The trust that has built up between the sex workers and the Night Light team has been key to its success. As well as talking to them about children they have seen on the streets and dangerous offenders, they also offer the women support, food, clothing and a supportive ear. Rose said that since the project started five years ago, they have seen huge progress. "We're getting a massive increase in the women sharing about their own experiences of being sexually assaulted, as well as worries about children," she said. "It isn't rocket science. It is just investing that time in building those relationships." Jo Ritchie, who works for Barnardos, said the sex workers are "the most passionate advocates" for the scheme [BBC] Because many of the women have been sexually assaulted themselves, they are keen to prevent young people from going through similar experiences, Jo said. "Time and time again, we hear them say, 'I wish this had been running when I was a kid, because perhaps I wouldn't be out here now'," she added. "I think they're probably the most passionate advocates... they really don't want to see children on the streets." Megan, 34, doesn't want to be working on Bristol's streets for long, but while she is, she said she is proud to have helped safeguard other girls. "The underage thing is something I really feel strongly about," she said. "There's a bad stigma about sex workers, drugs... but we're not bad people." 'Highest risk children' Night Light is proving so successful in Bristol, that other parts of the country are now looking to roll the project out. And Rose and Jo are both very clear, Night Light would not exist without the women, and hope it helps to challenge the narrative around street sex workers. "They're incredible," Jo said. "We are totally dependent on them. We've identified children at risk, who are out on the streets, who we weren't aware of, because of them. "And that's really one of the key things about Night Light, the children they are pointing us towards are probably some of the highest risk children, but yet they are often really hidden." Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: westinvestigations@ or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Related internet links
Powys County Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Two-child benefit cap should be scrapped, charities say
Scrapping the two-child benefit limit is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty, charities have argued in a letter to the Prime Minister. Failing to scrap the limit could put child poverty at its highest level since records began by the end of this parliament, groups including Barnardo's, Save the Children UK and Citizens Advice warned. Charities have been ramping up pressure on the Government to ditch the benefits restriction as part of its new child poverty plan. The strategy is due to be published this spring, although the End Child Poverty Coalition has said it believes the document might not come until June. The letter urges Sir Keir Starmer to 'direct the full weight of your government into reducing child poverty with urgency'. It reads: 'Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. 'It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. 'If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office, making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy, and the number of children living in poverty will be at its highest since records began.' The Child Poverty Action Group, which signed the letter, estimates that the number of children in poverty will jump from 4.5 million currently to 4.8 million by 2029 unless urgent action is taken. The two-child limit was first announced in 2015 by the Conservatives and came into effect on April 6 2017. It restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. While it applies across the UK, the Scottish Government has pledged to mitigate the policy's impacts for people there, although payments for this are not expected to begin until 2026. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told ITV's Good Morning Britain 'nothing's off the table' in the UK Government's plan to tackle child poverty. Ms Phillipson and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall are leading a child poverty taskforce 'and we are looking at all areas', she said. Asked if that meant lifting the two-child cap had not been ruled out, Ms Phillipson said: 'We're looking at every option, including social security measures, absolutely. 'But there are a range of ways, alongside that, we know that we can tackle child poverty.'
ITV News
22-04-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Charities warn of record child poverty if two-child benefit cap not scrapped
UK charities have warned Sir Keir Starmer that scrapping the two-child benefit limit is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. In a letter to the prime minister, groups including Barnardo's, Save the Children UK and Citizens Advice said failure to scrap the limit could put child poverty at its highest level since records began by the end of this parliament. As part of its new child poverty plan, charities are increasing pressure on the government to ditch the benefit restrictions. It is expected to be published in spring but the End Child Poverty Coalition has said it believes the document might not come until June. The letter urges Starmer to 'direct the full weight of your government into reducing child poverty with urgency'. It reads: 'Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. 'It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. 'If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office, making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy, and the number of children living in poverty will be at its highest since records began.' The Child Poverty Action Group, which signed the letter, estimates that the number of children in poverty will jump from 4.5 million currently, to 4.8 million by 2029 unless urgent action is taken. The two-child limit was first announced in 2015 by the Conservatives and came into effect on April 6 2017. It restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. While it applies across the UK, the Scottish Government has pledged to mitigate the policy's impacts for people there, although payments for this are not expected to begin until 2026.
The Guardian
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ministers privately ruling out scrapping two-child benefits cap
Ministers are privately ruling out scrapping the two-child benefit cap despite warnings from charities that a failure to do so could result in the highest levels of child poverty since records began. Government sources said charities and Labour MPs who were concerned that wider benefit cuts would push more families into poverty should 'read the tea leaves' over Labour's plans. 'If they still think we're going to scrap the cap then they're listening to the wrong people. We're simply not going to find a way to do that. The cap is popular with key voters, who see it as a matter of fairness,' one source said. In a letter to Keir Starmer on Tuesday, groups including Barnardo's, Save the Children UK and Citizens Advice said scrapping the two-child benefit limit would be the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. The Child Poverty Action Group, which signed the letter, estimated the number of children in poverty would increase from 4.5 million to 4.8 million by 2029 unless urgent action is taken. The government is planning to publish its long-awaited child poverty strategy in June, around the time of the spending review, raising expectations the plan will come with funding attached to try to drive down poverty levels. The government is also launching its policy of introducing free breakfast clubs into all primary schools in England as part of an initiative to reduce child poverty. The first 750 clubs, providing 30 minutes of morning childcare, open on Tuesday as part of a trial before a national rollout. Ministers said the extra time could save parents £450 a year, if their child went every day, with up to £7,500 more saved by the provision of 30 hours of free childcare per week from September, up from 15 hours a week. The breakfast clubs policy is being promoted not only as a way to improve school attendance, educational performance and attainment, but also as a primary lever for reducing poverty, with 67,000 of the 180,000 pupils set to benefit coming from the most disadvantaged areas of England. But Labour MPs said while they strongly supported breakfast clubs, they remained concerned the two-child cap, along with wider cuts to disability benefits, would drive more families with children into poverty. 'Ditching the cap is by far the most effective way of tackling child poverty. We have a moral obligation to do this,' one MP said. 'I'm afraid they'll use the breakfast clubs to soften us up to tell us the two-child benefit cap remains.' Ministers are still looking at ways to alleviate the impact of the two-child limit for universal credit or child tax credit, imposed by the Conservatives in 2017, without spending the £3.6bn required to remove it entirely. Among the options is applying the limit only to those with children who are five and over, exempting parents of disabled children or parents in work, and increasing child benefit payments for parents of young children. A separate proposal for a three-child limit has also been discussed. Charities have called for Labour ministers to ditch the benefits restriction as part of the child poverty plan, warning that a failure to do could mean child poverty levels soaring by the end of this parliament. In their letter to Starmer, they said: 'Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. 'If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office, making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy.' However, aides said there was little political appetite within No 10 to lift the cap entirely, with polls suggesting that voters support it. Others have suggested the tight fiscal circumstances mean ministers will not change track, despite some feeling the limit is overly punitive.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
13 simple ways to improve children's diets as Jamie Oliver calls benefits 'profound'
Jamie Oliver is calling for the government to "step up to the plate" when it comes to helping families provide healthy food for their children. Almost one in five UK parents said they had to buy their children unhealthy food at least once a week as they could not afford healthier options, according to a survey, which experts claim highlights how good meals are "out of reach for too many families". The research comes as part of a charity campaign, from Barnardo's alongside other organisations including The Food Foundation and School Food Matters, which is backed by the celebrity chef. Describing the positive impact of children eating healthily, Oliver said: "When we feed kids well, when we act with kindness and integrity in our politics, the benefits are profound. It truly is a superpower – setting them up to get better grades, better jobs, and so putting £8.9 billion back into the economy over 20 years." The new findings from the survey of 2,239 UK parents feature in a new Barnardo's report Nourishing The Future, which highlights growing evidence that far too many children and young people are missing out on nutritious food, with a major impact on their health. Barnardo's chief executive Lynn Perry added: "The food we eat as children has a huge impact. Sadly here in the UK, far too many children and young people are missing out on nutritious food – with huge knock-on effects for their health both now and in the future. "We know that parents are making big sacrifices so their children have the best food they can afford. But with the price of basic items staying stubbornly high, healthy food is out of reach for too many families – with people living in poverty find it harder to buy, cook and eat good food." Educate your children on food According to nutritionist Jenna Hope teaching children about food, where their food comes from, how it's cooked and introducing them to a wide range of flavours, textures, colours and smells from a really young age is one of the best ways to ensure they eat a healthier diet. "Where possible try to get your children involved in the cooking process, talk them through what you're doing, encourage them to play with their food (and try to incorporate wooden foods into their toy box too)," she adds. Create a diet routine Instead of offering snacks constantly, Hope suggests trying to have a diet routine of three meals and two snacks per day. "This can help to support energy, encourage better eating at meals and also enables for a more nutritious diet rather than loading up on ultra-processed snacks," she explains. Pack their breakfast with protein Breakfast sets the tone for the day. "Protein helps stabilise blood sugar, reducing mid-morning energy crashes and improving focus," explains Bex Prade, clinical nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner. "Swap sugary cereals for eggs, Greek yoghurt with berries, or a simple smoothie with banana, oats, nut butter and Greek yoghurt for an extra protein boost." Introduce healthy swaps Replace ultra-processed snacks like crisps and biscuits with whole food alternatives. "Try full-fat natural yoghurt with honey instead of sugary yoghurts, or swap shop-bought cereal bars for homemade oat and seed bars," Prade recommends. Sneak in more veggies Introducing more vegetables can be a challenge, but blending them into sauces, soups, or smoothies is an easy way to boost their intake without resistance. "Making homemade versions of familiar favourites, such as adding grated carrots or courgettes to pasta sauces, can increase their nutritional value without changing the flavour significantly," explains Lisa Marley, chef and nutrition coach. Introduce better carbs for stable energy Instead of white bread and standard pasta, Prade suggests opting for whole grains like oats, sourdough, or basmati rice. "These slow-releasing carbohydrates help maintain steady energy," she explains. Make food fun Kids are more likely to eat healthy foods if they're involved. "Let them choose a new fruit or vegetable each week or turn meals into a 'taste test' challenge to make trying new foods exciting," Prade suggests. "Involving children in meal preparation can foster healthy eating habits and make them more open to trying new foods. " Up their water intake Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and poor focus. "Swap sugary fruit juices for water infused with fresh fruit or mild herbal teas to encourage better hydration," Prade suggests. "Ensuring children drink plenty of water is a simple and cost-effective way to support their overall health." Most kids love a fizzy drink or glass of juice, but Laura Southern, nutritionist from suggests these should be thought of as treats. "They can increase tooth decay, lead to weight gain, negatively effect concentration," she explains. "So just have water at home and those drinks are fine as a treat if out. But no slushies as they have been shown to be highly toxic to kids due to the amounts of glycerol in them." Balance their plate for brain health A simple approach is to aim for 1/3 protein, 1/3 colourful vegetables, and 1/3 quality carbohydrates. "This keeps blood sugar steady, supports mood, and ensures children stay fuelled for learning and play," Prade explains. "A diverse diet helps ensure that children have access to a wider supply of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, promoting good health." Identify your kids hungriest times Often breakfast and always straight after school. "Ensure there is some nutritious food available here - examples might be cut up fruit, cut up veg, raw nuts, roasted chickpeas, dried fruit," explains Southern. "Focussing on natural/whole food to accompany a more 'treat' like food ensures they will still be getting nutrition and getting filled up." Incorporate 'essential fats' The term essential in nutrition means our body needs it but cannot make it. "They come from nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado, oily fish and are necessary for brain health, mental health, growth, blood sugar balance, concentration, puberty, immunity," Southern explains. She suggests trying to find some sources that your child will eat. "A sprinkle of seeds (like pumpkin or chia) on breakfast cereal, a bit of hummus with veg in a packed lunch, chocolate covered almonds after school, olives and guacamole as snacks, olive oil drizzled on food before serving." Have a 'healthy food only' rule Southern suggests trying to ban or at least reduce the amount of unhealthy food in the house. "Sounds obvious but if the only snacks available at home are processed, high sugar, packaged foods, then that is what they will be reaching for," she explains. Introduce meal planning and batch cooking This cost-effective approach helps reduce food waste and ensures healthier options are always available. "Preparing snacks in advance, such sliced fruit, or homemade oat bars, makes it easier to avoid reaching for processed alternatives," Marley adds. Additional reporting PA. Read more about children's health and nutrition: Simple ultra-processed food hacks to make children's diets healthier (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) Foods you should stop putting in kids' packed lunches (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Eight ways you can manage your child's weight as obesity rates soar in the UK (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
