The Children’s Plan
On 11 December, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls launched the ‘Children’s Plan’, a long term vision to improve schools and a step-change in the way parents and families are supported to deal with the new challenges faced by young people in the 21st century.
Building on a decade of reform and results, and responding directly to parents and young people’s concerns, the Children’s Plan:
strengthens support for all families including during the formative early years of their children’s lives;
• takes the next steps in achieving world class schools;
• seeks a step-change in parents involvement in their child’s learning;
• helps to make sure that young people have exciting things to do outside school, and more places for children to play.
To read the plan in full or access the summary follow this
link.
Staying Safe - Consultation
Keeping children and young people safe is a top priority. It is the responsibility of us all. This consultation aims to promote discussion about how we could all do that better. Its purpose is to set out how we can work together to help children and young people stay safe, and make the most of their talents and new opportunities to fulfil their potential. To read more about the consultation please click on the DfES E-consultation link below.
Children in Care White Paper - Care Matters: Time for Change
On Thursday, 21 June DfES launched Care Matters: Time for Change. This White Paper seeks to improve the care young people receive and the outcomes they achieve in life. Government Office will work with DfES to ensure a continued focus on the needs of children in care through working with local areas. There will be a particular focus on supporting the developments set out in the White Paper and on examining the overall approach to care, exploring issues around consistency and variation across regions and sharing best practice. The white paper and summary document are available as downloads.
Johnson Backs New OFSTED With Extended Remit And Stronger Focus On The Needs Of Children And Learners
Education and Skills Secretary, Alan Johnson, has welcomed the creation of the new Ofsted as a powerful driving force for improvement, providing a stronger focus on the needs of users. His backing follows the launch of the new Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) under the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
The new Ofsted, established on 1 April, brings together into a single organisation the remits of the old Ofsted with the children’s social care remit of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), the inspection work of the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) inspection remit from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Court Administration (HMICA). The new Ofsted will also benefit from a newly created non-executive Board and Chair.
Home Access to TechnologyThis consultation seeks views on the proposed Home Access programme that aims to ensure that every family with 5-19 year old learners in England has access to learning where and when they need it through access to ICT resources and support at home. Further information is available by following this
link.
