Daily Safeguarding News - Safer Schools NI

Young people ditching ambitions over UK cost of living crisis, research finds

A survey of 18–24-year-olds for Prince’s trust found that two thirds had lowered their career expectations.
Jonathon Townsend, UK Chief Executive of the Prince’s Trust, stated: “This research provides a blunt warning that the cost-of-living crisis threatens the futures, aspirations and wellbeing of an entire generation, if we do not act now”.
A lack of self-confidence was cited as one of the biggest problems by young people in achieving their ambitions, along with lack of opportunity and experience.
73% of those questioned, were anxious about their futures because of the cost-of-living crisis. Over two thirds thought they would never be financially secure.
The report also found the cost-of-living crisis had forced over a quarter of the young people questioned to either leave education or start thinking about leaving it.
Vicky Nash, associate director of policy, campaigns and public affairs at Mind stated: “When the country is struggling with widespread economic difficulties, it can really affect the mental health of younger people, with jobs being harder to find and worries about our financial safety being an everyday occurrence.”
For more, please visit The Guardian website.

Surveys will be carried out at 120 schools across NI to check for Raac, the Education Authority (EA) has said.
Raac is a form of concrete, with a lifespan of around 30 years.
However, its structural behaviour differs as it is susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture.
A letter sent to schools on Monday by the EA said that “any settings in which it is present are likely to experience minimal disruption”.
For more, please visit the BBC News website.

The children both died after taking suspected “extra-strength” pills called pregabalin, an anti-epileptic drug also used to relieve chronic pain.
In August the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stated that there had been three deaths and five heart attacks in one weekend, linked to super strength pregabalin tablets.
Spotlight has reported that criminal gangs and paramilitaries are increasingly buying the drugs in bulk.
They are often sold on in batched of 20 or 50 on closed social media sites and encrypted messaging apps.
Det Supt Emma Neill said the supply online is being investigated and police could not comment further for “operational reasons”.
For more, please visit the BBC News website.