Green paper to cover all children, minister confirms

Ministers are discussing whether there should be an overarching
document covering all children, rather than just one focusing on
children at risk, home office minister Beverley Hughes has
confirmed, writes Clare Jerrom.

Hughes insisted there was “nothing sinister” in the
delay of the publication of the children at risk green paper,  but
admitted that the focus of the forthcoming document could be wider
than originally expected.

She said the government had concerns about announcing an
overarching strategy for children and young people – shaped
by the extensive consultation project by the children and young
people’s unit – alongside a separate paper for children
at risk.

As a result, ministers were now considering bringing both
together in the format of a children’s green paper, which
would contain a section on children at risk, she told a Local
Government Association conference on anti-social behaviour.