More than 400 people gathered at Exeter Cathedral to celebrate the life and legacy of Eddie Farwell, the co-founder and former chief executive of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Mr Farwell passed away in March aged 68 following a diagnosis of motor neurone disease. The memorial service was also live streamed to hundreds more across...
Jake Wallace BBC News, South West BBC The Care Quality Commission launched the inspection in response to concerns A children’s health service in Devon which cares for young people with mental health needs has been rated as good following concerns about its setting. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) launched the inspection in response to concerns...
SPECIAL REPORT Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition Exeter City Council is under pressure to reconsider its plan to close Northbrook Swimming Pool after community campaigners triggered a full council debate on the closure by raising a petition imploring it to keep the pool open that was...
Ofsted has found that Devon County Council children’s services are still “leaving children at risk of harm” due to “serious weaknesses” in the way some children – particularly those experiencing neglect and domestic abuse or at risk of extra-familial harm – are cared for. In an inspection report published this week Ofsted rated the county...
Miles Davis BBC Devon political reporter Getty Children in Devon experiencing abuse and neglect were particularly at risk, Ofsted found Children in Devon are “at risk of harm” due to continued failings in council services, a report has found. The Ofsted report into children’s services at Devon County Council rated the council as “inadequate” and...
The children’s commissioner for England is calling on the government to ban apps which use artificial intelligence (AI) to create sexually explicit images of children. Dame Rachel de Souza said a total ban was needed on apps which allow “nudification” – where photos of real people are edited by AI to make them appear naked...
Exeter children’s library is getting an upgrade, including a brand-new sensory area, floating mezzanine and activities for older children, thanks to funding from the Clore Duffield Foundation. The radical makeover is being undertaken by Libraries Unlimited, the charity commissioned to operate libraries in Devon. It will transform the existing children’s library into a series of vibrant, inspiring,...
In one of its first major actions under the Trump administration, the Federal Trade Commission is arguing Meta has an illegal monopoly in social media and should be forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand Monday as the highly anticipated antitrust trial kicked off in Washington, D.C. If Meta loses...
Watch: Timelapse of nature mural A new mural unveiled in a primary school library in Devon aims to celebrate nature, community and sustainability. The artwork at Sherford Vale School and Nursery was created by Plymouth-based artist Ellie Johnson, also known as Mrs Murals. It was inspired by original designs created by pupils and incorporates elements...
Getty Images Banning phones in schools should be a decision for head teachers and not “imposed nationally by the government”, England’s children’s commissioner has said. Nine in ten secondary schools restrict the use of smartphones, according to a survey of 19,000 schools and colleges commissioned by Dame Rachel de Souza. Dame Rachel said children were...
Graham Fraser Technology Reporter Getty Images Roblox is one of the world’s largest games platforms, with more monthly users than Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation combined. In 2024 it averaged more than 80 million players per day – roughly 40% of them below the age of 13. Parents will be able to block their children...
Chloe Parkman BBC News, South West Children’s Hospice South West Eddie Farwell has been described as a “remarkable man” The co-founder of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) has died, the charity has said. Eddie Farwell set up the charity with his late wife Jill in 1991 from their home in north Devon after two of...
The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are waging a multi-front war on nutrition benefits for children, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture moving this week to end programs that provided over $1 billion in funding for schools and charity organizations to buy food from local farmers as GOP lawmakers simultaneously take aim at school...