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
Glorious Grandparents
I had a fascinating conversation with Jean Stogden recently. Jean, who is a member of the Family Commission, has spent the last 10 years raising awareness of the role of grandparents as founder of Grandparents Plus – an organisation she set up with the great social entrepreneur and social reformer, Sir Michael Young in the 90s.
Recent reports from Grandparents Plus highlight the crucial role of ...
The upside of the downturn?
There seem to be conflicting views about what impact the recession is having on family life. We all know, from our own communities, that the tough economic times are having an impact on families - particularly those directly effected by redundancies - and this is being echoed in the early evidence from our Family Commission survey work. But whether there are unexpected benefits or opportunities is a matter ...
Playing out
As we hit the half way mark of the summer school holidays, few parents will need to be reminded of the daily dilema they have in ensuring that their children are able to play out with friends and enjoy themselves but also stay safe.
That’s why many wont be surprised to read the statistics out this week from the pedestrian charity http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/ which tell us that almost ...
Keeping in touch – Terminate the Rate
4Children has just joined a really important campaign. Terminate the Rate aims to reduce unfair charges made by mobile phone companies on people calling mobiles from landlines. Our family work has already shown how important it is for families to be able to keep in touch. Whether it is isolated elderly relatives; family members living long distances apart; or parents wanting to be able to keep in touch with ...
Positive about parents
Hardly a day goes by without someone decrying the state of parenting today but an interesting report recently published by the Nuffield foundation (highlighted in a piece in the Independent today) has found that parents today are more conscientious than they were 20 years ago, spending more time with their kids and paying more attention to where they are outside the home.
Academics at Oxford University ...
