Review of policy on children and young people launched by government

A government policy review of children and young people which will inform decisions in next year’s Comprehensive Spending Review was launched by the economic secretary and schools minister today.

Ed Balls and Andrew Adonis launched the review on what further steps can be taken to improve the life chances of children and young people to the Treasury.

Under the umbrella of the children and young people review, sub-sections will look at:

• How services can provide greater support to families with disabled children
• What strategy should be adopted to deliver a step change in youth services
• How services for families and children at risk of becoming locked in a cycle of low-achievement, high harm and high cost can be reformed.

The public consultation on the review will be accompanied by a number of parliamentary hearings organised by a consortium of charities campaigning on behalf of disabled children.

Schools minister Andrew Adonis said: “Today we are demonstrating our commitment to address the challenges faced by disabled children and families.

“For too long disable children and their families struggled to get access to good quality co-ordinated services.

“The situation is now much improved, but we are not complacent which is why we are launching a review of disability services to help us to deliver better outcomes for every disabled child and their family.”

In the Budget 2006, the Chancellor announced a policy review of Children and Young People to inform the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.