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Call for long-term child policies Longer term child policies urged
(1 day later)
A generation of children has suffered from short-term policy making, says a children's charity.A generation of children has suffered from short-term policy making, says a children's charity.
Action for Children said that out of hundreds of announcements, legislation and initiatives on children's services, under one-third were still operational.Action for Children said that out of hundreds of announcements, legislation and initiatives on children's services, under one-third were still operational.
In a report, it called for a cross-party political group to establish a 21-year vision for children.In a report, it called for a cross-party political group to establish a 21-year vision for children.
The government said it was committed to putting children right at the heart of long-term policy.The government said it was committed to putting children right at the heart of long-term policy.
The report said that during the life of someone now aged 21, there had been more than 400 major government announcements relating to children and young people.The report said that during the life of someone now aged 21, there had been more than 400 major government announcements relating to children and young people.
Sure StartSure Start
There had also been 98 relevant Acts of Parliament, 82 different "strategies", 77 more specific "initiatives", and more than 50 new funding streams relating to the services children and young people use, it said.There had also been 98 relevant Acts of Parliament, 82 different "strategies", 77 more specific "initiatives", and more than 50 new funding streams relating to the services children and young people use, it said.
More than two thirds of these no longer exist. It called for all new initiatives to be given at least six years of funding. "Where I come from you don't really ask for support. But there were quite a few people who had a positive impact on me. Tricky More than two thirds of these no longer exist. It called for all new initiatives to be given at least six years of funding. "Where I come from you don't really ask for support. But there were quite a few people who had a positive impact on me. Tricky class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7622955.stm">How funding could change lives
Clare Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children, said: "The last 21 years have seen a massive volume of policy. Not only that, the average life span of each initiative is a little over two years.Clare Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children, said: "The last 21 years have seen a massive volume of policy. Not only that, the average life span of each initiative is a little over two years.
"Many developments have been laudable and Action for Children has supported them. Yet few would suggest that an environment of such uncertainty is a healthy way of maintaining support for some of the most vulnerable and marginalised children and families in our society.""Many developments have been laudable and Action for Children has supported them. Yet few would suggest that an environment of such uncertainty is a healthy way of maintaining support for some of the most vulnerable and marginalised children and families in our society."
The charity said Sure Start was a good example of a policy that had been changed from the original vision.The charity said Sure Start was a good example of a policy that had been changed from the original vision.
It said that when it was established in 1998, it was multi-disciplinary, well funded and offered targeted support for vulnerable families, with a clear preventative ethos enshrined within it.It said that when it was established in 1998, it was multi-disciplinary, well funded and offered targeted support for vulnerable families, with a clear preventative ethos enshrined within it.
However, Sure Start is now run under the banner of Sure Start Children's Centres with a clear child care universalistic approach, which the charity argues is not what the original initiative set out to achieve.However, Sure Start is now run under the banner of Sure Start Children's Centres with a clear child care universalistic approach, which the charity argues is not what the original initiative set out to achieve.
Positive influencePositive influence
The charity said the experiences of young people who contributed to its report showed the need for a consistent and patient approach to helping them.The charity said the experiences of young people who contributed to its report showed the need for a consistent and patient approach to helping them.
Many celebrities also shared their own experiences of being a vulnerable child.Many celebrities also shared their own experiences of being a vulnerable child.
These included musician Tricky, who said: "Where I come from you don't really ask for support. But there were quite a few people who had a positive impact on me.These included musician Tricky, who said: "Where I come from you don't really ask for support. But there were quite a few people who had a positive impact on me.
"There was a youth club round the corner from where I lived. Everyone would hang out there, and they sorted us out with turntables and got us into making music.""There was a youth club round the corner from where I lived. Everyone would hang out there, and they sorted us out with turntables and got us into making music."
Action for Children said children in Scotland had suffered less from changes in policies than children in other parts of the UK.Action for Children said children in Scotland had suffered less from changes in policies than children in other parts of the UK.
Since the Scottish Parliament was set up in 1999 there have been 17 pieces of legislation affecting children and young people, the same number of strategies and 19 new funding sources.Since the Scottish Parliament was set up in 1999 there have been 17 pieces of legislation affecting children and young people, the same number of strategies and 19 new funding sources.
The report said Scotland had had more continuity and consistency in policy making.The report said Scotland had had more continuity and consistency in policy making.
Children's minister Beverly Hughes said the government was 100% committed to improving children's well-being.Children's minister Beverly Hughes said the government was 100% committed to improving children's well-being.
She said: "This government has lifted more than 600,000 children out of poverty, built almost 3,000 children's centres and increased school funding by 87%.She said: "This government has lifted more than 600,000 children out of poverty, built almost 3,000 children's centres and increased school funding by 87%.
"As a measure of our commitment to putting children at the centre of everything we do, we have taken on some of the most difficult and complex challenges, such as our pledge to eradicate child poverty by 2020"."As a measure of our commitment to putting children at the centre of everything we do, we have taken on some of the most difficult and complex challenges, such as our pledge to eradicate child poverty by 2020".