News & opinion

Our latest news, and opinions from across the sector.

Policy — 30 Oct 2026

Beyond the autumn budget: building a joined-up future for children, families and communities

This week, the Chancellor, John Healey, delivered his first Budget, 100 days after Andy Burnham took office. This was not designed to change immediate policy priorities or overhaul existing reform programmes. Instead, it sought to provide households with ‘breathing room’ to weather rising living costs, while giving the government the breathing space needed to advance its wider reform agenda.

More
News & opinion — 29 Oct 2026

Using race equity evidence to shape everyday work

This Black History Month, at the National Children's Bureau we have been reflecting on how organisations can use evidence to move from good intentions to meaningful action on anti-racism.

More
Research — 23 Oct 2026

Flexibility, compassion and services that genuinely meet needs: The value of learning from lived experience

Keith Clements, Senior Researcher at NCB, and Adele and Emma from our parents experts-by-experience group, reflect here on a collaborative study, the findings of which were published this week.

More
News & opinion — 20 Oct 2026

Black, Asian and disadvantaged young people less likely to receive support after self-harm, researchers warn

Black and Asian young people and those living in deprived communities are less likely to receive psychological therapies after self-harm than their peers, a new major study supported by NCB has found.

More
Policy — 15 Oct 2026

Study to test accuracy, fairness and effectiveness of attachment assessments in CAMHS

NCB is supporting a major study launched this month testing whether attachment assessments lead to better and fairer decisions about children’s mental health and safeguarding.

More
Policy — 2 Oct 2026

New commitments for babies, families and social care

The commitment from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to expand the Healthy Babies programme to every local authority in England is a significant step for babies and their families.

More
Mental health & wellbeing — 30 Sep 2026

Keep it simple, practical and accessible: Supporting parental mental health in Northern Ireland

Jemima White, Education and Training Manager at AWARE NI, reflects on the work she does to help support the mental health of parents and their infants.

More
Research — 28 Sep 2026

Lessons learned? Investigating the inequalities faced by Black and Global Majority children and young people in need of mental health support

Reflections on preliminary findings from a collaborative research study examining the experiences of young people in the social care system accessing mental health services.

More
News & opinion — 22 Sep 2026

Strengthening the ethical and effective use of children’s information

A new digital toolkit provides guidance, resources and real-world examples to strengthen the ethical and effective use of children's information in local authorities.

More
News & opinion — 7 Sep 2026

Youth Voice Matters 2027: Enter our art competition and celebrate Joy!

Celebrating Joy is the theme of Youth Voice Matters 2027, an event that brings young people together to develop their participation skills and recognise the impact they can have when using their voice to create change.

More
News & opinion — 7 Sep 2026

What the review of early deaths tells us about supporting care leavers

This article discusses early deaths among care leavers, including references to suicide and traumatic experiences. This discussion is in response to the findings of the recent review of early deaths among care leavers aged 18 to 24, which presents a stark picture of the challenges too many young people face as they move into adulthood. We have been taking time to reflect on the findings and how we can ensure that care leavers receive the support, relationships and opportunities they need to thrive.

More
Policy — 7 Sep 2026

Celebrating research examining mental health support for young people with a social worker

As the COACHES project comes to a close after four years of collaborative study into the mental health services received by children and young people with social work involvement, researchers presented their findings at an event at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

More