"This is an innovative approach to the use of the data from longitudinal studies. It is important that we draw on this work to help shape future policy for disabled children and young people."

The Council for Disabled Children will be undertaking a brand new research project in collaboration with the National Childrens Bureau and the Institute of Education (IOE) at the University of London.

The research will be examining the influence of environmental factors on outcomes for disabled children and young people.

The project, which will last 18 months, commences in January 2013. It will employ an analysis of existing data as well as being informed by the perspectives of disabled young people, focusing on key transition points in their lives. The study will analyse existing data from two major longitudinal studies of children and young people that cover almost the entire span of childhood and youth - the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), which follows around 19,000 children born in the UK in 2000-01, and the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE), a study of almost 16,000 young people who were first surveyed at age 13/14, and followed up annually for seven years.

Philippa Stobbs, assistant director of CDC, said:

"This is an innovative approach to the use of the data from longitudinal studies. It is important that we draw on this work to help shape future policy for disabled children and young people."

Funding is being provided by the Economic and Social Research Council under their Secondary Data Analysis Initiative.

 Scientists will monitor whether new-generation cancer drugs are successfully hitting their targets by simply plucking samples from patients' eyebrows following the opening of a new world-class research facility at The Royal Marsden and its academic research partner, The Institute of Cancer Research, London.

 Hair follicles and blood samples will be among the tissues tested at the new Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) under a new brand of smart trials monitoring whether new-generation cancer drugs are hitting their molecular targets. 

The centre brings together clinicians, geneticists, pathologists and scientists under one roof for the first time, dramatically speeding up the research and treatment development process.  And as part of the new brand of smart trials, researchers at the CMP aim to monitor precisely how cancer drugs are working inside tumour cells by taking samples of a patient's eyebrows during their course of treatment. 

Working side by side to advance cancer research and treatment, the teams will be able to better understand each patient's individual tumour type and develop personalised treatment plans faster than ever before, making our vision of personalised medicine a reality. 

Contact: ICR Communications Manager Tatjana Trposka on 020 7153 5312 or 07780 689 891. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

'We expect a high level of interest in the study from policymakers, statutory and voluntary organisations, Local Safeguarding Children Boards/Child Protection Committees and those who chair and author case reviews'

On behalf of the British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN), we are delighted to advise that BASPCAN commissioned a study of family involvement in the inter-agency reviews that occur when a child has died or been seriously injured as a result of abuse or neglect. This study was launched Monday 12 November 2012, by BASPCAN and University of Nottingham.
 
As the United Kingdom's leading organisation for child protection professionals from a wide range of disciplines, BASPCAN Trustees were concerned that, despite policy imperatives, involving families in case reviews has been largely absent, inconsistent or tokenistic.  This study, carried out by leaders in the field, involved families, practitioners, academics and policymakers and will have practical importance to those commissioning and conducting reviews, as well as those currently considering their future form and function.
 
We expect a high level of interest in the study from policymakers, statutory and voluntary organisations, Local Safeguarding Children Boards/Child Protection Committees and those who chair and author case reviews. Importantly, the report provides practical guidance on how to involve families in this highly challenging work and a brief information sheet that can be used to sensitively prepare families to understand the purpose of case reviews and enable them to contribute their thoughts, experiences and the child's lived experiences.

If you are a member of BASPCAN the study will have been sent to you as a PDF.
 
The Study is available as a download at a cost of £15.00 – go to http://www.baspcan.org.uk/report.php
 
The study is also available as a wire bound copy at a cost of £28 inc p & p. You can order this at the above link should you wish.  
 
Please cascade this email to colleagues who you feel may find the study of interest and value.
 
Please contact Judy Sanderson, National Office Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you require more information.