'Every Child Matters - Change for Children' set out a national framework of change, to be led by local authorities and their partners, to improve life for children and young people. Government Offices (GOs) play a key role in delivering and developing the policies which will achieve this.
More information on the national picture
The Sure Start, Children’s Fund and Connexions and Youth Support Teams are responsible for the delivery of the Government’s commitments outlined in ‘Every Child Matters’ (see link below). Sure Start focuses on tackling childhood poverty while the Children’s Fund aims to prevent social exclusion. Together these initiatives have an important role to play in tackling deprivation and encouraging regeneration in the region. In the future we will be taking forward government policy surrounding the development of children’s services in the region, and we will work closely with the 14 local authorities in the West Midlands to develop Children’s Trusts.
The ‘Change for Children’ programme was launched in December 2004 and is a new approach to ensuring the well being of young people from birth to age 19. The Government’s aim is for every child, regardless of their background or circumstance, to have the support they need to be:
· Healthy
· Safe
· Enjoy and achieve through learning
· Make a positive contribution to society, and
· Achieve economic well being
The Connexions Strategy was published in 2000 which involves a radical new approach to advising, guiding and supporting young people aged 13 to 19. The strategy is based on the following principles:
· Learning has long term benefits for young people;
· Young people should be the customer and should be consulted about what they
need and want;
· Organisations should work together for the benefit of young people; and
· Young people should have a single point of contact to ensure they get the best
support.
There is now a network of trained Connexions Personal Advisers to support young people, and Connexions Partnerships have successfully reduced the number of 16-18 year olds who are not in education, employment or training.
The opportunities available to young people in the Region have also increased through the provision of the Positive Actions for Young People and Millennium Volunteers initiatives. Youth Services have also changed the way they operate as a result of the Transforming Youth Work programme.
A Green paper 'Youth Matters', was published on 18th July 2005 and is now a subject of public consultation. It covers issues such places to go and things to do for young people, the delivery of information, advice and guidance, and how to support young people who need more support. The Green paper and supporting documents can be found on the website (see link below).
