A programme aimed at helping people with disabilities and illnesses find work is to be rolled out throughout Northern Ireland by next April.

Students from a Co Armagh school attended by three teenagers who committed suicide in recent weeks have received counselling to help them come to terms with their grief.

Health chiefs have condemned as “abhorrent” attacks on Altnagelvin Hospital staff after doctors and nurses were punched, head-butted and hit with a walking stick by a patient at the weekend.

A report on the suicide of a teenager in April 2005 has found serious failure of care by the health service. Danny McCartan, 18, had a history of depression and self harm. The trust has apologised.

An NI psychologist has said he is in no doubt a “sizeable suicide pact” surrounds a spate of deaths in County Armagh. Dr Arthur Cassidy has been working with young people from Laurelvale and the surrounding area after the suicides of three 15-year-old boys within a month.

Ten years after the main paramilitary ceasefires Northern Ireland remains divided, a BBC survey into children’s attitudes has indicated. State of Minds: The Children is the largest survey of its kind.

New figures from the Adoption Board show that around 500 children are being adopted here from other countries each year.

Efforts to protect elderly people from abuse have been boosted by the creation of a new national organisation. The Health Service Executive announced it is to establish a National Centre for the Protection of Older Persons by January.

Six new super heroes have been recruited by the Stormont Executive to promote and defend the rights of children – Herbie Healthy, Sophie Safe, Archie Achiever, Emer the Eco Girl, Donna Does-A-Lot and Rory Rights.

The Northern Ireland Office is considering the introduction of tough new child sex offender legislation which includes the “chemical castration” of some offenders.