Children and Families

Many areas of government seek to support children and young people, including through their families.  So it is important that we consider their interests across the whole of our remit. 

Our work relating to children and families covers not only the responsibilities of the Department for Children, Schools and Families, but also other departments, such as Health, and Work and Pensions.

The Children’s Plan was published in 2007.  It set out long-term goals to 2020, and the performance targets to be achieved by 2010 or earlier on:

• Reducing childhood obesity
• Increasing take-up of sport
• Reducing health inequalities as measured by infant mortality and life expectancy
• Halving child poverty
• Improving the safety of children and young people

All relevant departments are expected to work together to meet the goals of the Children’s Plan.  Many of their programmes seek, among other things, to address child poverty, health and well-being, and provide support for families. 

We have examined a wide range of such programmes, for example through reports on workless households, use of the Social Fund, and the running of the then Child Support Agency.  We have looked at children’s health through our report on neonatal services, and at the work of a number of departments to reduce childhood obesity. 

Our report on Sure Start Children’s Centres commented on progress in making a whole range of services for children and families more accessible, relevant and effective.

Features

Sure Start children’s centres

In December 2006 we reported on Sure Start children’s centres.  Designed for families, parents and carers for children under five, and often based in schools, health centres or community centres, children’s centres provide services such as health visiting, parental advice, employment advice, toy libraries and childcare.   

Read full article: Sure Start children’s centres

The Children Schools and Families Select Committee asked us to update specific elements of our 2006 report.  We produced a memorandum and presented it to the Committee in early January 2010. 

Read full memorandum: Sure Start Children’s Centres