With both the Government and the Conservatives working on new family policy ideas, which look set to become central planks of their manifestos, The Family Commission is very timely. Whatever your politics, families are likely to be a hot topic over coming months.
The Family Commission has already been out on the road gathering the views of families from around the country and holding meetings with opinion formers, politicians and professionals working in the field.
One of the most refreshing things to come out of our conversations with families has been the real optimism. Whether juggling jobs to get through the tough economic climate or meeting the challenges of caring for a disabled child or elderly relative, families were almost universally positive and committed to doing their best. Imagine what they could do with a bit more help!
On this, my first ever blog, I will keep you posted about the Family Commission and relevant developments in family policy. All feedback will be very much appreciated.
Anne Longfield OBE
Family Commission learn how families are flourishing on visit to Wales
Last Thursday the Family Commissioner went to Cardiff. This visit was part of the Family Commissions national roadshow of events which aims to learn from the best examples of practice around the country and to meet with the range of people involved with families and children.
In a packed day the Commission met with families and professionals who had plenty to tell us about the projects ...
Guest Blog – Meadbh Dempsey(17)
On the 8th of July I went with the family commission to Phoenix High School in Hammersmith and Fulham, North London. The purpose of our visit was to conduct a focus group with about 20 young people aged 14-15, in which we asked them questions about their families and their lives. What we learnt from the focus group will go on to inform the Family ...
Children in care is not a numbers game
A new report from Barnardo's and Demos has once again highlighted the importance of early intervention and families in crisis.
When the welfare of children is at risk, of course it is right that swift action is taken. However, work from Barnardo’s and Demos calling for more children to be taken into care quicker should not overshadow the most pressing issue – how to avoid getting ...
Budget – a mixed bag for families
Today's Emergency Budget announcements were a mixed bag for families. Many, including me, breathed a sigh of relief at the preservation of universal child benefit. It is such an important symbol of a welfare state that recognises the importance of supporting every child. I agreed with the Chancellor when he said that for many families it is one thing they get from the welfare state ...
Both mums and dads feature in today’s newspaper
In support of Nick Clegg’s recent call for greater involvement by fathers in bringing up children, a newly published survey by the Children’s Society has shown that a child’s level of interaction with their father can have a significant impact on their overall wellbeing. The research, found that 46% of 11-15 year olds hardly ever talk to their fathers about the issues affecting them. This ...
New Childhood and Families Task Force
At a speech given at a Barnardo's event this morning, Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg announced the establishment of a new Childhood and Families Task Force, to be chaired by the Prime Minister.
Many of the priorities of the new task force will be welcomed by parents, particularly those intended to help families in crisis, improve flexibility in the workplace and support dads in taking a more ...
Interesting survey suggests fathers are workers first
A survey has suggested that working fathers consider themselves to be a breadwinner before a father. The research carried out by the online website www.savoo.co.uk found that three quarters of 2,500 fathers said that they spent so much time in the office that they saw their primary role to be as a worker.
While this is an interesting result, The Family Commission has spoken to many ...
Social work review must look at more than cutting bureaucracy
Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has today written to Professor Eileen Munro to invite her to conduct an independent review of children’s social work and frontline child protection practice.
We welcome the decision to conduct the review. But it will be important that it looks at factors other than reducing bureaucracy if it is to genuinely improve the quality of service delivered by professionals and the relationships social ...
Reassurance for nursery users
An interesting piece in the Sunday Times today offers some reassurance to those parents who worry about putting very young children into nursery. Kathy Sylva, a professor of educational psychology at Oxford university has been examining data from the Effective Provision of Pre-School Education project. She argues that nurseries do no harm to the vast majority of children under two and that those who attend average to high quality ...
3/4 of people are worried about their finances
A survey carried out by the Elizabeth Finn Care charity has found that millions of Britons are worried about how they are going to pay the bill. According to the report in today's Daily Express 73% of respondents said they were 'fearful about their financial situation as they brace themselves for rising interest rates, higher unemployment and soaring bills'. 39% of those surveyed believe they will ...
