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The
All Party Parliamentary Group |
Every Child Matters
On 7 March the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children (APPGC) held a very interesting meeting with Carey Oppenheim from the Number 10 Policy Unit. The meeting focused on how to support children and families within the context of the Every Child Matters agenda. Carey asked those at the meeting what services should be offered universally and what should be targeted. She also asked what will make the most difference, and how this should be resourced. The APPGC heard from three speakers, with questions and comments from a diverse audience of Parliamentarians, representatives of voluntary sector organisations concerned with children and families, academics and civil servants. Clem Henricson, Director of Policy and Deputy Chief Executive of the National Family and Parenting Institute spoke about the tensions in family policy and the need to openly recognise these tensions between children, families, parents and other adults’ interests, including intergenerational interests. She said that Government policies needed to balance and where possible reconcile these, but that family policy must be guided by human rights principles rather than parental rights. John Coleman, Director of the Trust for Adolescence made a presentation on supporting families at key transition points. He said that transitions are a key point for possible intervention when children and families are often open to new information and support. It is also a time when existing vulnerabilities may be highlighted or exacerbated. John spoke about universal and targeted interventions, and the need to have tailored interventions that address the needs of the children and young people and their parents. Discussion following John’s presentation focused on some of the key transitions which included entry to primary school, transfer to secondary school and other non-universal transitions such as divorce, bereavement or family change. It was highlighted that one universal key transition is that for the parents when their child is born. There was concern that more support should be focused on this key time in a family’s life, perhaps by providing more comprehensive post-natal support akin to the antenatal support that is already provided. Jean Stogden, Chair of Grandparents Plus spoke about the role of grandparents and the extended family in supporting children and families. Grandparents Plus, the Grandparents Association and the Family Rights Group had recently launched a call to action to celebrate grandparents and the extended family. They cite statistics that show that 82% of children receive some care from their grandparents; nearly 5 million grandparents each spend the equivalent of three days a week caring for their grandchildren; and 1% have grandchildren living with them. Future
meetings As a General Election is widely anticipated to be called in early April for an election in early May, the APPGC is unlikely to be holding any further meetings until late May. Please contact Alison Linsey, Clerk to the Group (email: alinsey@ncb.org.uk):
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