National Children's Bureau

Too many children and young people who self-harm aren't getting the support they need. New research found significant inequalities in access to therapy, particularly for Black and Asian young people and those facing disadvantage. buff.ly/DKNs43M

Join the next Making Participation Work Practitioners' Community of Practice on 12 Nov to explore participation, co-production & preparing for adulthood. 📅 12 Nov 2026 🕙 10:00-13:00 💻 Online buff.ly/ruNP2Xm #SEND #YouthVoice #CoProduction

Belonging is one of the foundations of good mental health and wellbeing. Every child deserves to feel connected, valued and supported in their community and at school We support the Children’s Society recommendations. But, schools need the resources and support to be place ow.ly/8FXo50ZYl8G

The #GoodChildhoodReport reveals that too many young people do not feel at home in their own communities. We’re calling on the Government to invest in the building blocks of belonging, so that every child feels they belong and knows they matter. Read the full report: https://ow.ly/mOuz50ZY4Fl

A major study co-led by @cam.ac.uk & @northumbriauni.bsky.social and supported by NCB and The Motherhood Group launches today to test whether attachment assessments lead to better and fairer decisions about children’s mental health and safeguarding. Find out more at buff.ly/EyAh7gZ

What happens after funding for the successful programme you’ve set up to support babies & families has ended? What steps do you take to embed the programme’s system of knowledge, relationships & shared culture? Read a blog from Blackpool #BetterStart's PaIRS team buff.ly/54KiVUC

Parents are critical to the development of babies and young children. Today we’re launching #ABetterStart report based on 10 years of learning: ‘Parents as Partners: Supporting parenting skills, knowledge and confidence’. It focuses on holistic, flexible support for parents buff.ly/rWaKk9t

What happens in a baby's first thousand days shapes their health, learning, and relationships for years to come. Every family deserves support with their care in those early months, no matter where they live. Read more about new commitments for babies, families and social care lnkd.in/e5gb-VNy

Read our blog co-written by NCB & University of Cambridge reflecting on emerging findings from the COACHES study, which suggest significant inequalities in access to treatment for Black and Global Majority children & young people. buff.ly/0yok8lc #ChildrensMentalHealth #CAMHS #SocialCare

We're launching Bitesize Guides - resources for young people to help them understand more about topics, decisions and processes that impact their lives! Check out our first guide at buff.ly/ahWteC6 and keep a lookout for more guides coming soon....

On #YouthMentalHealthDay, we asked young people about the pressures they face and their hopes for building their futures #YMHD2026 #stem4

❓️ Interested in supporting better perinatal mental health? 📚️ Based on learning from @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk’s #ABetterStart programme, our Best Practice Guide summarises the evidence and provides reflection activities to improve how you support parents. 🌐 buff.ly/adtCaxY

📢 Booking is now open for the next Council for Disabled Children national event, 'SEND Partnerships: learning and thinking ahead' for local authorities, health SEND leads and social care/clinical officers is taking place online on Thurs 22 Oct 2026, 10am - 1pm. Register now 👉️ buff.ly/Hh6J05K

Join us for the next Youth Voice Matters conference in 2027! Watch this video to learn more about the event, and if you are interested in attending, you can sign up here: buff.ly/mqkNI3L #MakingParticipationWork @departmentforedu.bsky.social @kidscharity.bsky.social

Every bereaved child & young person deserves to be heard, understood & supported. In 2025-26, CBN helped secure grief education in the national curriculum, amplified lived experience, strengthened sector learning & influenced national policy to improve support. Read our impact report buff.ly/NBT8ysn

The Council for Disabled Children’s support for far-reaching SEND reforms was just one part of our work last year. As part of the NCB family, CDC brings SEND expertise, trusted networks, and lived experience into policy, practice and system change. Read more in our Annual Report: buff.ly/NBT8ysn

Robust evidence is central to NCB’s work, bringing together data, practice insight and the voices of children, young people, families, adults and professionals. From youth violence and SEND, to safeguarding, school readiness and fairer funding, evidence gives our advocacy weight. buff.ly/NBT8ysn

It's a decade since the Govt published guidance on whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing. Our report with the Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition shows how it could be strengthened. buff.ly/lI0WiiF

Our Annual Impact Report shows the value of Research in Practice joining the NCB family. 210+ partners supported, 495 workforce development opportunities delivered and 5,000+ learners reached. With co-production at the heart of our work www.ncb.org.uk/about/who-we... #BetterChildhoods #BetterLives

A reminder that the Council for Disabled Children is running a programme of online training sessions for professionals in the SEND system! See the full calendar and book here: buff.ly/QxV6YZS

Our latest Annual Impact Report, reflects a year of challenge, progress and partnership at NCB. From amplifying the voices of children and families to strengthening local systems and shaping policy, our work remains focused on better childhoods & brighter futures. www.ncb.org.uk/about/who-we...

Local organisations can run Best Start in Life Community Sessions this summer and beyond - 45-min conversations that help parents and carers explore trusted early years advice. DfE provides materials. Scan the QR code on the flyer by Fri 7 Aug.

New FLARE blog out now! Find out more about Jacob’s reflections on being a member of FLARE buff.ly/LhmAwnc @KIDScharity @educationgovuk

Listen to the latest episode of NCB’s youth-led podcast #OurTurntoTalk! All episodes are developed and directed by young people, discussing issues that matter to them. In this episode, Young NCB share their perspectives on the social media ban. Follow this link to listen: buff.ly/wlcA6z9

Adult social care reform must take a life course approach buff.ly/TsmclKZ #Socialcare outcomes are shaped by more than health services. Housing, poverty, employment, financial security and support for unpaid carers all matter That's why meaningful reform must look beyond service boundaries

Secondary students in England are more likely to be bullied than their peers in other countries – and their reported life satisfaction has dropped significantly since 2010, @ippr.org research shows

Congratulations to @paulwaughmp.bsky.social on his appointment as an Education Minister. With the Childcare Review and Best Start in Life Strategy ahead, this is an exciting yet critical time for early years. We look forward to working with him to deliver long-overdue reform.

What do we need to take into consideration when planning children's homes moves? New research from @kingstonuniversity.bsky.social & NCB highlights the importance of how transitions are planned, and points to key considerations for practitioners and decision-makers. Read the blog buff.ly/ghR2Y7s

🚨 Directors of children's services: register now for the Council for Disabled Children's National Webinar, on the theme of 'Experts at Hand and EOTAS,' on Tues 21 July, 12:00-13:30, specifically for DCS, providing a space to discuss opportunities, shared challenges and solutions buff.ly/aFnrBsd

The NHS Race and Health Observatory has published new anti-racism principles to support professionals across health and social care to tackle race inequity. Le'Siran Edwards explores how these principles might impact everyday practice in safeguarding organisations. https://ow.ly/6cjN50ZnFSu

"I felt like it was a forced pathway for young people, going from children's homes into semi-independent provision." Transitions out of care should be guided by a young person's readiness & needs, not just by their age or wider system pressures. Listen to the podcast now:

Reunification can be a pivotal transition for children, young people, and their families. NCB's systematic review of existing evidence and research has informed Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families's practice guide on reunification, published today: buff.ly/p6YsZiV

The Anti-Bullying Alliance and Haringey Shed have partnered to create a school resource pack to support KS2 and KS3 teachers using the film ‘You’re So Real’. Download the resource pack and watch the full film here: bit.ly/4glDVtF

The harmful use of alcohol is an issue for many individuals and families who draw on care and support. This #AlcoholAwarenessWeek, NCB family member Research in Practice has shared resources for support which you can access here:

New free e-learning on Inclusion Bases is now available. As SEND reforms reshape how mainstream schools and colleges support more pupils, Inclusion Bases will play a key role in delivering new tiers of support. learning.research-improvement-send-excellence.org.uk/products/inc...

Sensory processing differences shape how young children engage, learn and participate. This free Council for Disabled Children session supports early years practitioners to better understand sensory needs and create more inclusive environments. #EarlyYears #SEND www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sensory-pr...

Thanks to National Lottery players, NCB has received £3.5m from @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk. The funding will build on our work supporting young people to shape policy, change systems & challenge the stigma of poverty. buff.ly/1JY8R1U #NationalLottery #CommunityFund #LocalVoicesNationalChange

Today we’re launching a free best practice guide on supporting parental mental health and wellbeing, with learning and practical examples from 10 years of work across A Better Start partnerships @TNLCF www.ncb.org.uk/what-we-do/p...

The Participation team from @ncb.org.uk are now sharing how young people were supported to respond to the SEND Reforms Consultation and influence senior level policy making #MPWPractitionersCoP 📝👥

📢 NEW GUIDANCE Too many children still experience racist bullying. NCB family member @anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk has launched practical guidance to help schools: ✅ Prevent racist bullying ✅ Respond confidently to incidents ✅ Support pupils affected ✅ Build a culture of belonging 📥 bit.ly/4eEf7KW

Supported accommodation can be an important part of the #SocialCare system if it is commissioned and used in ways that reflect #YoungPeople’s needs rather than system pressures. Bianca Karpf reflects on what new research tells us and what good practice looks like 👉 buff.ly/diU8hMo

Supporting people in communities affected by violence We have brought together resources to focus on violence prevention, supporting people at risk, practitioner wellbeing, trauma-informed leadership, and addressing systemic racism. Read more in our latest article www.ncb.org.uk/about-us/med...

While we are pleased to see the government’s recognition of the urgency in improving children's #OnlineSafety and #wellbeing, we are concerned that the proposals as stated do not do enough to keep all children and young people safe. Read our full statement: buff.ly/ZRfl8W8

It's #LearningDisabilityWeek and this year’s theme is #DoYouSeeMe, highlighting the need for people with a learning disability to be seen, heard and valued. Clinical psychologist Dr Layla Harding explores attachment and caregiving in families with parental disabilities: buff.ly/FbQOcYY

Join us to discuss how to create buy-in for strategic participation and advocate for youth voice to be heard at senior levels. The Council for Disabled Children’s next Participation Community of Practice is taking place on Weds 24th June 2026. Find out more and book your place at:

New ruling on deprivation of liberty. The UK Supreme Court has issued a landmark judgment that reshapes how deprivation of liberty is defined in law. The ruling replaces the long-standing ‘acid test’ and has implications for children’s social care and health practice and policy.

The Council for Disabled Children is recruiting young people (11–25) with SEND to join FLARE, the Dept for Education’s advisory group. They’re especially keen to hear from disabled Black & Global Majority young people. 🕔 Apply by 17 June, 17:00

A new report from PBE, commissioned by the Children’s Services Funding Alliance, reveals record spending on children’s services. The findings are being discussed today at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children, coordinated by NCB. Find about more at buff.ly/xhDTtYm