2
Jewish News 26 October 2017
www.jewishnews.co.uk
News / Barnet healthcare / Israel survey / Balfour centenary
Mental health services ‘struggling’ A report into safeguarding in the Jewish community in Barnet has found evidence of a “massive” increase in mental health issues for children and young adults, with support services struggling to keep up, writes Stephen Oryszczuk. The extensive 84-page report on family support and children’s services across the borough by two university researchers, published this week, ended with a warning that cuts and financial pressures meant that Jewish children “may fall through cracks”. In the special report commissioned by Barnet, Professors Eleonore Kofman of Middlesex University and Margaret Greenfields of Buckinghamshire New University looked at why there was a “relative under-representation of Jewish children” in safeguarding statistics. In more than 50 interviews, Kofman and Greenfields heard of the Jewish community’s “concern about the emotional well-being of children and young people and the limited routes available to them”, noting that parental separation and divorce are “major events” for Jewish children from strongly family-oriented and tightknit communities. Jewish respondents told them of a “massive increase” in mental health issues for youngsters in recent years. “Proportionally, it was argued that the strictly Orthodox community has exploded with mental health needs,” they wrote. In a damning report, the authors said referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or Jewish charity JAMI were “not always suitable, particularly in relation
A report published this week warns some Jewish children ‘may fall through the cracks’
to the cultural competence of some CAMHS staff,” noting “lengthy delays accessing services, by which time a child might have declined significantly”. The problem was compounded by a lack of resources and support, they said. “Schools are often so overstretched that they are not able to deal with families under stress,” write the authors. “As a result, a combination of cuts, lack of resources and overstretched families could lead to children falling through the cracks.”
Number of people who back boycotts drops Support for boycotts of Israel is slipping, according to a new poll published this week. The percentage of Brits who say they boycott Israeli goods and produce fell from 12 percent to 11 percent this year, after results from the annual BICOM/Populus survey of more than 2,000 people. “Support for Israel boycotts is at its lowest level since we started measuring it in 2014,” said James Sorene, chief executive of UK Israel think tank BICOM. “Young people also appear to be changing their mind about Israel, with those aged 18 to 24 opposing boycotts of Israel in much larger numbers than ever before.” The question asked whether
Only 11 percent of people said they boycott Israeli goods
people agreed with the statement: “I don’t boycott Israel and find it difficult to understand how others do given everything else that is going on in the world”. This year 48 percent agreed, while last year 51 percent did. Sorene said the survey “presents a fascinating picture of how Israel is perceived in the UK”.
They said rising poverty played a role in the mental health of Barnet’s 54,000-strong Jewish community, with a “70-80 percent increase in take up of [poverty alleviation] services in the last two to three years,” as charities step in to aid families who cannot afford kosher food or uniforms. Among the more positive points was evidence of Jewish organisations networking “both across and between denominations”, with frequent mention of “collaboration between more mainstream agencies including JAMI,
Thornberry to attend Balfour dinner Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry is to attend an official dinner commemorating the centenary of the Balfour Declaration next week, after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn declined. Thornberry’s attendance follows communal consternation at what was seen as a snub by Corbyn, with Jonathan Goldstein of the Jewish Leadership
Council saying his absence was “deeply unfortunate”. A spokesman for Corbyn said he was “unable to attend” the London event, but supporters of Israel suspect otherwise, after Thornberry again appeared in Corbyn’s place at a Labour Friends of Israel event last month. Goldstein said he was “disappointed” Corbyn would not attend
WHIRLING WHEELS teach 4 – 16 how to ride, safe supportive methods. Those with learning disabilities welcomed. “Fun & simple step by step: my Son riding in 2 sessions with no falls”
Book early places limited! Text 07956 276832 Email whirlingwheels562@gmail.com
the event on the 100th anniversary of Lord Balfour’s declaration of British support for a national Jewish homeland in Palestine. However Ben Jamal, of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, said: “It is highly appropriate he has refused the invite and shameful that any British politician would consider participating in an event that celebrates the Declaration.”
Fastlens Wholesale Glasses
Emily Thornberry
CURRENCY HIGHLIGHTS TO GBP
USD
EUR
ILS
GBP
-
1.3265
1.1231
4.6526
USD
0.7539
-
0.8467
3.5075
EUR
0.8903
1.1811
-
4.1428
ILS
0.2149
0.2851
0.2414
-
FROM
Having trouble with your Varifocals?
Claim your FREE: Children’s How to ride taster session Child nervous about learning to ride a bicycle? Have they been hurt from a failed attempt?
Jewish Women’s Aid and Norwood and smaller, targeted services such as the London Jewish Family Centre,” which provides family support to the strictly Orthodox. In addition, the authors said agencies supporting young people outside school, such as Noa Girls, the Boys Clubhouse and Gateways at JW3, “will at times cross-refer or address one another’s educational provisions, even if there would appear to be strong cultural or denominational barriers to engagement”. One issue the council needed to consider, said Kofman and Greenfields, was the increasing number of Barnet residents who use services in Hackney, as they “will not use services they feel are not sufficiently observant… for example, where a TV, internet-connected computer or mainstream newspapers are visible”. The authors say Barnet’s “less developed mechanisms” for Charedi Jews puts them at “a significant disadvantage” and suggests the council “develops closer engagement with this group” as well as mimicking Hackney’s model of joint commissioning with Jewish organisations with specialist knowledge. Another recommendation was “cultural training” for social workers and others dealing with child protection, safeguarding and parental support, because “the most basic knowledge about the Sabbath, such as when it starts,” as well as customary practices with the strictly Orthodox, such as “not shaking hands with the opposite sex and dress codes for women,” was found to be “often lacking”.
Transfer rates correct as of: October 25th 16:20 (GMT)
We are Varifocal specialists and with more than 235 years of combined experience, our staff can help solve your problems. “Cheaper than any known advertised deal” “Most spectacles made while you wait” Open: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm & Sunday 10am-1pm 80 Mowbray Parade, Edgware Way Tel: 020 8958 9393 www.fastlens.co.uk
For the best up-to-date rates go to:
www.jewishnews.co.uk/currency Powered by
Jewish News Money Transfer