National Policy Developments
There are many current and emerging policies which are of particular relevance to voluntary and community groups working with and supporting children and young people.
Legislation
Youth Matters: Next Steps
The DfES published the Youth Matters Green Paper on 18 July 2005 and the subsequent consultation ended on 4 November 2005. With over 19,000 responses from young people, this was one of the largest responses to a Government consultation from any one group. Consultation events took place across the North East Region.
See: Archived Information
This Green Paper outlined the Government's vision for ensuring all young people are given the best chance to succeed in life through increased opportunities and taking their responsibilities seriously. It outlined how young people, parents, local and central Government, and all other providers of services for children and young people can work together to make a significant difference.
The Regional Youth Work Unit has created a summary of 'Youth Matters':
- Youth Matters - summary (Word 64kB)
On the Every Child Matters website:
- Youth Matters: Next Steps summary (PDF)
- Next steps announced following consultation on Youth Green Paper
Every Child Matters
Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:
- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve
- Make a positive contribution
- Achieve economic well-being
Summary of Every Child Matters
Ivan Wintringham from the Regional Youth Work Unit has written two summaries of 'Every Child Matters'. They are a summary of the strategy and the accompanying document for working with the voluntary and community sector.
Every Child Matters - a summary (Word 64kB)
Every Child Matters - working with the VCS (Word 58kB)
Children's Trusts
A publication is now available as part of the Every Child Matters strategy:
Engaging the Voluntary and Community Sectors in Children's Trust (PDF)
Childcare Act 2006
The new Childcare Act, passed into law on 11 July 2006, will help transform childcare and early years services in England for generations to come, taking forward some of the key commitments from the Ten Year Childcare Strategy published in December 2004.
The Children Act
The Children Bill received Royal Assent on 15 November and is now the Children Act 2004. The Act provides a legislative spine for the wider strategy for improving children's lives. This covers the universal services which every child accesses, and more targeted services for those with additional needs.
Details about the implementation of the Act and the wider reform programme are available in Every Child Matters: Change for Children.
The Children Act 2004 places a new duty on local authorities to promote the educational achievement of looked after children.
National initiatives
Every Disabled Child Matters
Contact a Family is a founder member of the newly launched campaign Every Disabled Child Matters, which is calling on parents and professionals who work or live in the UK to support the campaign to win equal rights and justice for all disabled children and their families in Britain. The campaign is aiming to get 10,000 supporters by the end of the year, to sign up go to www.edcm.org.uk or contact Every Disabled Child Matters c/o Council for Disabled Children, 8 Wakely Street, London, EC1V 7QE or call 020 7843 6448.
Volunteering for All
A £3 million two-year strategy led by the Home Office aims to encourage volunteering by people with disabilities or limiting long-term illness; people with no formal qualifications; and people from black and minority ethnic communities. Launched March 2006.
Research into the effectiveness of youth training and diversion schemes
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published a report on training and diversion schemes operated by the fire and rescue service, identifying good practice in engaging with children and young people. Published March 2005.
Safeguarding Boards Local Guidance
Guidance on the role, function and operation of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs), formerly the Child Protection Units, is now available to download from: www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/strategy/guidance
The Russell Commission and V
V is an independent charity launched to champion youth volunteering in England. It aims to inspire a million more 16-25 year olds to volunteer and enable a lasting change in the quality, quantity and diversity of youth volunteering.
V was created following a Government study into youth action and engagement (the Russell Commission) which collected the views of over 6000 young people.
Contact: www.wearev.com
The National Respect Agenda
The Government's RESPECT Action Plan aims to 'tackle anti-social behavior and reclaim communities for the law abiding majority'.
The six main strands of the Action Plan include:
- Activities for children and young people
- Improving behavior and attendance in schools
- Supporting families
- A new approach to the most challenging families
- Strengthening communities
- Effective enforcement and community justice
The Respect Action plan mirrors suggestions from the recent Youth Matters Consultation document. Activities highlighted in the Youth Matters Paper are referred to in the Respect plan such as:
- Piloting of the Youth Opportunity Card Pilot Scheme (10 national pilots will be announced February 2006)
- Expansion of the Youth Opportunity Fund
- Regional partnership plans to target disadvantaged young people with Sport England, the Museums, Libraries and Archives
- Developing Britain's first national youth volunteering service
- Expanding youth mentoring programmes.
The RESPECT Action Plan can be downloaded from: www.respect.gov.uk
Statutory agencies
Government Office North East
Jackie Doughty is the Director for Children and Learners at the Government Office for the North East. She is responsible for the delivery of government commitments to improving opportunities for all, involving strategies including Every Child Matters, Youth Matters and the DfES Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners.
Jonathan Blackie, the Regional Director of GO-NE, is the regional Children and Young People's Champion.
