KentOnline

Our top story today is all about plans being put forward in England to prevent tenants being kicked out of their homes without a good reason.
Section 21 orders allow landlords to give renters eight weeks’ notice to get rid of them at the end of their contract.
It’s hoped the changes will bring an end to so-called “no fault” evictions in England and reduce the number of families, in particular, who end up homeless.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

The adoptive mum of a Kent toddler who had to have both his legs amputated, after being abused by his birth parents, has criticised a serious case review .
Paula Hudgell from West Malling adopted Tony who was just five weeks old when he suffered life changing injuries.
But a report has found there was “no evidence” to suggest social workers missed signs of abuse during early contact with Tony’s biological family.
 
His birth mum and dad are serving 10 years in prison for child cruelty.

The Kent mum of a severely epileptic girl has told km-fm she’s overwhelmed and emotional after getting a prescription for cannabis oil…
Nine year-old Teagan Appleby from Aylesham can have up to 300 seizures a day and her mum Emma’s been fighting to get her stronger treatment.
Cannabis medication she got from the Netherlands was confiscated when she arrived back in the UK last week – but Emma says she’s now hopeful again.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

One of the world’s most famous fashion photographers has taken photos of children at a hospice in Kent as part of a major exhibition…
Demelza Kids is being staged at Bonhams in London in a bid to raise awareness of the charity and the work they do.
Juergen Teller was invited to meet youngsters at their centre near Sittingbourne as part of the project.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

For the first time in half a century divorce laws in England and Wales are getting an overhaul.
The Government plans to end the ‘blame game’ between partners by dropping a legal requirement to find a guilty party.
It’s hoped the shake-up will make the process less upsetting for families – especially children who might get caught up in unpleasantness during their parents’ divorce.
The plans also include measures to stop a husband or wife being able to contest a break-up.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

Today we’ve been hearing from a Kent mum who says she’s devastated, after cannabis medication that could help her severely epileptic daughter was taken off her by airport officials.
Nine-year-old Teagan Appleby from Aylesham can have as many as 300 seizures a day.
She was given cannabis-based treatment here in the UK at the end of last year, which initially helped – but she’s got worse again in the last couple of months.
Her mum Emma flew to Rotterdam in Holland to pick up stronger drugs – but was stopped at Southend Airport and made to hand it in.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

We’re rounding up world autism awareness week by hearing from a mum from Herne Bay who’s set up a clothing range especially for children with autism.
Kellie Barker came up with the idea for her company ‘Born Anxious’ after struggling to find clothes that her own son Oscar was comfortable with.
She now makes T-shirts with slogans on to let people know a child’s behaviour might be unusual.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

A health expert says funding cuts have made it difficult for Kent schools to provide enough support for children with autism.
Earlier this week we told you about a report by Ofsted which found too many children with special needs and disabilities in the county don’t get the help they need.
Sarah-Jane Critchley from Tunbridge Wells worked with the Autism Education Trust and developed educational practise for more than 10 years.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

Efforts are being stepped up to tackle knife crime in Kent.
A committee is being set up to see what public bodies can do to reduce the number of people getting involved in violent offences.
It follows a summit led by Theresa May earlier this week which called for teachers, nurses and police officers to be held accountable for spotting signs among young people.
Police are continuing to investigate three stabbings in Tonbridge, Ramsgate and Herne Bay over the weekend.

Despite it being made illegal almost 200 years ago, there have been 230 reports of dog fighting in Kent since 2015.
Figures show the RSPCA received 45 calls about it happening in the county last year – and 60 over the previous 12 months.
The stats also reveal Kent is the seventh worst area for dog fighting in the whole of England and Wales.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/