Responding to measures announced in King’s Speech announced today, Andy Smith, ADCS President, said:
For too long children and young people have not had their needs, rights or outcomes prioritised, despite so much depending on them, including this country’s future place on the global stage and the government’s ‘fundamental mission’ of securing economic growth. It is refreshing to have a Bill announced today which aims to put children and their wellbeing at the centre of the education and children’s social care systems. This sends a strong signal to children about how this government values them and their contribution to society. The impact of poverty on children’s lives and childhoods is clear, it is linked to low birth weight in babies, poor physical and mental health and it is much harder to learn if you’re going to school hungry. Therefore, the requirement for breakfast clubs in every primary school is welcome but the government must go much further, and much faster, to eradicate poverty.
Whilst the establishment of a task force to address child poverty is promising, for quite some time, ADCS has been advocating for the eradication of poverty and strongly urges the new government to prioritise addressing the underlying causes of poverty, rather than merely treating the symptoms. This strategic approach is essential for meaningful change.
Children’s life chances are also being damaged by the current crisis in children’s mental health. Too often children experience difficulties in accessing services, wait months for support and reach crisis point in the process, in some situations it is literally a matter of life or death. We are pleased the government has committed to improving mental health provision for young people. Poor mental health and wellbeing can have a devastating and lifelong impact on the lives of children and their families so it’s crucial that they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
Efforts to keep children and young people safer on our streets, with a particular focus on reducing violence against women and girls and preventing young people from being exploited by criminal gangs, are similarly welcome and we await further detail on the Crime and Policing Bill. Whilst most children and young people are not engaged in serious violence or knife crime, a small but worrying minority are. Multiple studies demonstrate that some children and young people can be more at risk of being drawn into criminality, for example, there a clear link between inequality and high rates of violence. Any changes in the law must not unnecessarily criminalise children, who tell us they carry knives because they are scared for their safety.
We are pleased the new government will introduce a national register of children who are not attending school. For too long we have had no way of assuring ourselves of whether a growing number of children are receiving a suitable education or that they are safe. While a register in and of itself will not keep children safe it will help to establish how many children are being educated other than in school and to identify children who may be vulnerable to harm. A register must be introduced at the soonest possibility and we await further detail on the level of funding that will be provided to local authorities to meet their duty to support home educated families in their area. In addition, we welcome proposals to strengthen the Local Authorities role in respect of place planning, admissions and SEND inclusion.
As research suggests, where collaborative working is effective more positive outcomes are achieved for children and their families. We are keen to hear more about the government’s plans to strengthen multi agency working and how this fits in with ongoing reforms to childrens social care.
ENDS
