Welcome to April's issue of the Family and Parenting Institute's newsletter.

To subscribe to this newsletter click here

This month's poll:

Will the 2007 budget improve most families' finances?

Vote

Results of last month's poll:
Will more children get a better education through the use of a "lottery" admissions system?

Yes: 38% No: 62%

1. News

Every Parent Matters

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education has published Every Parent Matters which sets out the Government's view on the role of parents in improving their child's life chances and educational attainment and how the Government can best help them achieve this.

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Conservative Party review of childhood launched

David Cameron has announced that he is setting up a Children's Taskforce to look at how the lives of children in Britain can be improved. The taskforce will be led by Shadow Education Secretary David Willetts, and be advised by a group of independent experts.

arrow Conservative Party website

Maternity services

Parents' views, threats to midwifery services, new consultation and a new strategy by government.

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Faith schools and Families at Risk - FPI responses

  • The Runnymede Trust exploring the opportunities offered, and the challenges posed, by faith schools for community cohesion and good race relations.
  • The Social Exclusion Task Force Families at Risk Review

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Champion For Women Needed For Those With Particular Vulnerabilities In The Criminal Justice System

Baroness Jean Corston's report on a review of women in the criminal justice system who have particular vulnerabilities.
"The effects on the 18,000 children every year whose mothers are sent to prison are so often nothing short of catastrophic."

arrow Home Office

Confidence and confidentiality: Improving transparency and privacy in family courts - Summary of responses

The summary of responses to the Governments consultation on improving transparency and privacy in family courts was published 22 March 2007. A young people's guide has also been published.
";...any changes to the family court system must primarily take into consideration the needs, interests and welfare of children involved in proceedings."

arrow dca

2. Family Policy Digest

The digest tracks the latest legislation, research, publications and debate on family policy.
This month includes:

  • Relative child poverty increased in 2005/06
  • Budget 2007
  • DWP publishes welfare to work strategy for parents
  • Proposals to raise the school leaving age to 18

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3. Horizon scan

Forthcoming policy, research and media debate on family policy and the role of the state in supporting families.

HM Treasury - Policy review of children and young people

Aiming high for children: supporting families' published last month, is the final document from the Children and Young People Treasury policy review covering two strands of the review: prevention and 'families caught in a cycle of low achievement'

Spring 2007: Two further sub-reviews to be published, on support for families with disabled children and a ten year strategy for youth services.

arrowHM Treasury

Health Visitors

Later this month - new research from FPI – including parents' views and geographic distribution.

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Child Neglect - The most neglected abuse?

"Despite its high prevalence, child neglect and its serious consequences receive relatively little attention by researchers, clinicians and policy makers."

arrow Community Care conference 19 April 2007

Family Support in Children's Centres: Planning, commissioning and delivery

Comprehensive new research on family support in Children's Centres by the Family and Parenting Institute due for launch in April 2007.
Special summary for practitioners.

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Parenting leads in Local Authorities

Local authorities begin to implement their strategic approach to parenting support over the next few months.

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Personal Finances

"Homelessness fears mount as repossessions soar"

arrow Shelter

"The biggest cause of stress for most people is money (51%), followed by job (38%), then family (27%)."

arrow Credit Action

Commission on Integration and Cohesion to report in June

The Commission on Integration and Cohesion is considering how local areas can make the most of the benefits delivered by increasing diversity - but will also consider how they can respond to the tensions it can sometimes cause.

arrowCommission on Integration and Cohesion

4. Events calendar - Forward look

Check here for upcoming events in the family and parenting world. Please let us know of your forthcoming events so we can include them.
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5. Notice board

PARENTS' WEEK 2007

Ongoing consultation on this year's theme with input from our partner organisations:
Children In Wales, Disabled Parents Network, National Literacy Trust, NSPCC, National Childminding Association, ContinYou , plus, National Association of Childrens Information Services, Parenting Forum Northern Ireland, Family Links,

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Consultations

Post-16 progression measure
This consultation invites comments on the Department for Education and Skills' plans to introduce a new post-16 measure of progression to give recognition to schools in securing effective transition for each of their pupils to appropriate post-16 learning in order to maximise their attainment by 19.
Deadline: 23 Apr 2007

arrow DfES

Childcare Act 2006 - Securing Sufficient Childcare: Consultation on Regulations and Guidance
Setting out the framework for how local authorities will facilitate the childcare market and secure sufficient provision.
Deadline: 2 May 2007.

arrow DfES

Equality for Disabled People: how will we know we are making progress?

Deadline: 9 May 2007.

arrow Office for Disability Issues



Suzie Peleg

Information and Website Manager
www.familyandparenting.org

April 2007

Family and Parenting News is published monthly.

The next issue is due out on 02 May2007.

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Last updated: 7th November 2008 at 12:11:42