The Government must develop a coherent Childhood Strategy built on the principle that children and young people themselves must have a say in the political process.
This cross-government Strategy must establish a new vision for childhood and establish a set of binding outcomes that all government departments are accountable for delivering. Accountability for delivery of the strategy must be held by a Cabinet Committee - a group of ministers that can take collective decisions that are binding across government.
The Strategy must be backed by £10 billion[1] of new money at the next Spending Review, to reverse the impact of a decade of cuts and reinvest in services for children and young people.
Developed in partnership with children, young people and families, the Strategy should include a set of national priorities for children and young people.
All government departments must be accountable for work to:
- Stop children and young people growing up in poverty
- Improve outcomes in early childhood
- Create an inclusive education system
- Promote and protect our children’s wellbeing a mental health
Read the full version of our Manifesto for a Better Childhood.
NOTES
[1] As calculated by the Children’s Commissioner for England in https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cco-a-manifesto-for-children.pdf