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£25 billion annual cost of child poverty
New debates at PC2008
New UN proposals
Independent complaints service
Beverley Hughes to open PC2008
Government launches new UK council for child internet safety
Working mums
Homes Fit for Families - 10 July 2008
Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO) in children's and young people's services - 10 July 2008Parenting support services - 07 July 2008
Youth Justice - 13 June 2008
Child Poverty – June 13 2008
Mental health - children and parents... - 08 May 2008
International links
Fairer fuel deal for families?- 25 April 2008
What are today's social evils? - 21 April 2008
Families and new technology
Bringing Up Britain
Slim chance of being obese?
Staying Safe: Action Plan
The Children's Plan
Work, income and childcare
Children and young people have safety fears about the new ContactPoint database for children in England

£25 billion annual cost of child poverty

As well as the extreme hardship felt by families there is also a serious financial cost of child poverty to the UK taxpayer and economy.

New research, out yesterday Thursday October 23 2008, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) revealed that into the UK is running at a £25 billion loss because of child poverty.

The report found that:

  • £12 billion of taxpayers money is spent on services that the government spends addressing the effects of child poverty i.e. social services
  • another £2 billion is spent in extra benefits paid to adults who grew up in poverty and are now out of work
  • And that child poverty is also diminishing UK GDP by at least £11 billion through reduced earnings of those in work, £3 billion of which would have gone to the Exchequer in taxation.

Donald Hirsch, Poverty Adviser at JRF said: "Tackling child poverty would bring a double benefit – for the families whose life chances and quality of life would be improved and for society, which would no longer have to pay such high costs of picking up the pieces."

Mary MacLeod, Chief Executive of the Family and Parenting Institute said: "The report from JRF reiterates the importance of acting on child poverty now – not later. It is vital the Government does what it can to stick to its commitments to half child poverty by 2010 and eradicate it by 2020. This research shows the financial costs of not ending child poverty. We cannot underestimate the human costs on families in this country; it can ruin relationships and quash children's chances of a decent future."

View the full report.

 

New debates at PC2008

8 October 2008
Youth crime and the commercialisation of childhood will be the hot topics for two extra debates at our flagship conference in November, PC2008 – Getting it right for families?

These issues are a great concern for many parents and we will be asking what more can be done to tackle them. The Family and Parenting Institute will bring together leading experts and speakers in both of these fields to debate the issues.

The debates:
(13 November) Should parents be expected to protect their children from commercial pressures?

(14 November) Can parents be expected to solve youth crime?

Click here to find our more about the conference and to book your place.

 

New UN proposals

3 October 2008
The UN wants to see more protection for children involved in TV reality programmes in the UK to stop them being exploited. That was one of the areas of concern highlighted in the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child report. Sally Gimson, Director of Communications at the Family and Parenting Institute said: "We welcome the UN's proposals for more regulation and it is something that we have been advocating for some time now.

"In some reality TV programmes babies and young children have been subject to outdated parenting practices. They have been left alone for hours to cry and in acute distress for entertainment. Unfortunately the welfare of children in all types of reality TV programmes isn't made paramount.

"Plus, what happens after the camera is switched off and the film crew have gone home? There is no evidence to suggest any follow up is made or the welfare of those involved is monitored.

"If you are a child actor the time you spend in front of a camera, on a set or on stage is extensively regulated. But there's nothing for kids who are involved in reality TV programmes, similar restrictions would go some way to stopping their exploitation."

 

Independent complaints service

24 September 2008
The Government's plan to overhaul the school complaints procedure and install a new system that is fairer and more efficient was hailed by the Family and Parenting Institute as a true commitment to listening to parents.

New plans, unveiled at the end of September, outlined how parents will be able to refer any issues that they are unhappy with, including those around uniform or behaviour, to an independent service if they feel the school has not addressed their complaint properly.

This gives mums and dads the chance to have their complaint looked at independently and in cases where the school is deemed to have acted inappropriately action, such as requiring the school to review its policies or for the governing body to reconsider its decision, will be taken.

The Family and Parenting Institute is keen for parents to make the most of the opportunity to respond to the consultation.

 

Beverley Hughes to open PC2008

1 October 2008
Beverley Hughes, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, will open the Family and Parenting Institute's flagship conference - Parent Child 2008.

The Minister will launch the two day event which will see a host of keynote speakers from across the globe debate issues around family wellbeing and the connection between housing and family relationships.

Speakers include:

  • Professor Alan Hayes, Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies on the strains and stresses of families in Australia and lessons from longitudinal studies
  • Professor Kathleen Kiernan from York University on the effect of different family settings on children from birth to five
  • Patricia Crittenden PhD from the Family Relations Institute in Miami on how to raise parents
  • Professor Peter Stratton, from Leeds Family Therapy and Research Centre on family resilience and the implications for practice
  • Professor Susan Golombok, Director of the Centre for Family Research at Cambridge University on assisted reproduction and the consequences for children and families.

Plus delegates will also be able to attend a choice thirty workshops on different aspects of working with parents and families

The event takes place in London on 13 and 14 November 2008.

Places are still available and can be booked online, click here for further details.

 

Government launches new UK Council for Child Internet Safety

29 September 2008
Online bullying, violent video games, advertising to children and creating safer search engines are just some of the issues at the heart of the new UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS).

The Council was launched by the Prime Minister on Monday September 29 2008 and will be chaired by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Home Office. It brings together over 100 organisations from the public and private sector – as well as parents, children and young people.

FPI on board
Mary MacLeod, Chief Executive of the Family and Parenting Institute is one of over 20 members of the Executive Board which will steer the Council's work in making the internet safer for children.

"Parents are very concerned about the internet and the threat it poses to their children," said Mary. "Yet, while there are many pitfalls to surfing the web; there is also a lot to be learnt and gained from it.

"Mums and dads don't want to stop their children benefiting from the internet, but they are very keen to do what they can to protect their children from the dangers it brings whether it be violent video games, explicit content or advertising."

Byron report
The establishment of a UK Council for Child Internet Safety was a key recommendation in Dr Tanya Byron's Report 'Safer Children in a Digital World' which was published in March this year.

Click here to read the DCSF press release.

UK kids most at risk online
Only last week the London School of Economics (LSE) revealed how British children were most at risk when they're online compared to children from other European countries. In its new report 'Comparing Children's Online Opportunities and Risks across Europe' the LSE also highlighted that UK parents are confident their children can cope with the dangers of the worldwide web.

Click here to find out more about the LSE research.

Working mums

28 September 2008
New research from mumsnet.com found that over 90% of mothers who go out to work think they are a good role model for their children and that more than half of them are happy to raise their children and continue working.

In response to the survey, Mary MacLeod, Chief Executive of the Family and Parenting Institute told the Observer newspaper: "'What's been a shame, is the stoking of the mummy wars over recent years, by pitting working mothers against those who choose to stay at home. Whatever choice a woman makes, she feels she has to defend it when presented with research suggesting she might have done the wrong thing."

Mary's comments were based on two new research studies on motherhood from the Open University and a new Family and Parenting Institute publication called 'Listening to Mother' all of which were launched at an event in July hosted by the two organisations.

Homes Fit for Families - 10 July 2008

This paper explores how children and families are affected by their physical environment, both in their home and their immediate neighbourhood. It suggests policy solutions to ensure housing is fit for families. A download will be available shortly

Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO) in children's and young people's services - 10 July 2008

C4EO aims to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families by identifying and coordinating the evidence of what works at a national, regional and local level. Establishe and funded by DCSF, C4EO is a programme that brings together many of the organisations at the forefront of the children's sector.
FPI will be recruiting parents and carers for an advisory group whose views will have a direct influence on what C4EO does.

Parenting support services - 07 July 2008

Bristol City Council have been working with the FPI on a new
commissioning process to develop a new externally managed parenting
support service targeted at mothers, fathers and carers of children and
young people aged 8-19. This service will be planned and delivered in
partnership with local schools and integrated with a wide range of
mainstream family services. To find out more information and/or apply
please contact:
Jane Taylor, Parenting Commissioner, Bristol City Council, The Park
Centre, Daventry Road, Knowle, Bristol
BS4 1DQ; Tel: 01179039750; e-mail: jane.taylor@bristol.gov.uk

Youth Justice - 13 June 2008

The UK's four Children's Commissioners submited a joint report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
UK Children's Commissioners' Report to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

On youth justice, the Commissioners recommend that the UK Government and devolved administrations should increase the age of criminal responsibility, reconsider the use of ASBOs, reduce the numbers of children in custody in England and Wales and establish a public inquiry on children in custody.

In November 2007 the Family Commission recommended to the United Nations Human Rights Council an increase in the age of criminal responsibility and proposed that criminal prosecution routes should be the exception rather than the rule

A Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review 2007 from the Family Commission
Family Commission - November 2007

An overview of the law as it relates to children and young people is provided in our factsheet published in May 2007
Managing children's behaviour: Parents, children and the law
Family and Parenting Institute - May 2007

Other recent reports that are of interest include:

E Solomon and R Garside; Centre for Crime and Justice Studies - May 2008

J Margo; Institute for Public Policy Research - February 2008

R Sabates, L Feinstein and A Shingal; Department for Children, Schools and Families - February 2008

Davies and W McMahon (eds); Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, King's College London - May 2007

Links to these and more information are available through searching our Family Policy Digest

Child Poverty – June 13 2008

The latest in the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series from the Department of Work and Pensions has just been published - covering 1994/5 – 2006/7

In a new paper on child poverty, we look at why child poverty matters, its affects on a child's life chances, how it is measured and what can be done.
Child poverty briefing paper
Family and Parenting Institute – June 2008
Further information is available from the digest.

 

Mental health - children and parents...

This year's Mind week is from 10 to 17 May and is based on the theme of debt and mental health.

A new CAMHS consultation has been launched -
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services review - call for evidence

New published reports include:
Stress and resilience factors in parents with mental health problems and their children
Social Care Institute for Excellence
This research briefing discusses the factors that affect parents' and children's ability to deal with parents' mental health problems.

Mental wellbeing of children in primary education: Promoting children's social and emotional wellbeing in primary education
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
And
A new Department of Health Survey shows that attitudes to mental health remain broadly sympathetic

Also - The Parent Know-How programme, as announced in the Children's Plan, was launched in March .
A specific initiative includes information and professional advice to any adult concerned about the mental health or emotional well-being of a child or young person through the Young Minds helpline
More on mental health issues can be found in our digest

 

International links

Sharron Cole, Deputy Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Families Commission is visiting the UK and is meeting with people from other organisations who are engaged in work which is similar to the Commission's.

Their work is wide ranging and covers Working Regulations, Family Support, Family & Parenting Support. New Zealand has a strong history of developing new approaches to family policy and services.
Sharron is meeting the FPI on 27 May 2008

Fairer fuel deal for families?

- 25 April 2008
Energy companies have promised to do more to help low income households get out of fuel poverty.

This is part of new measures that were announced yesterday following a summit with government Ministers, energy companies and campaigners.

The meeting was hosted by the energy regulator Ofgem in a bid to tackle the needs of those who struggle to pay their gas and electricity bills.

The new measures include educating customers on switching energy suppliers and help for the poorest households.

Earlier this week, charities campaigning for a fairer fuel deal released new research which revealed that over 4 million households are spending more than 10% of their income on fuel. Following the meeting the campaigners welcomed the raft of initiatives but said that the new measures did not go far enough.

What are today's social evils?

21 April 2008
Joseph Rowntree Foundation's consultation on modern-day social evils.
The summary is available on their website.Fairer fuel deal for families?

Families and new technology

New technology is part of all our lives and is constantly being examined in response to both the possibilities this allows and the threats posed.
A selection of links is presented here. For a full list search our websitefor "technolog".

Image: Images/ipdf.gif Contribution To Debate: Do New Technologies Undermine Or Underpin The Family?
Lydia Plowman / November 2006

Image: Images/ipdf.gif Staying In Touch: A Parent's Guide To Mobile Phones

Image: Images/news.pngByron Review welcomed
March 2008

And in our digest

Image: Images/news.png Parent Know-How programme launched
March 2008
Image: Images/news.png Byron review report: Safer children in a digital world
March 2008

Image: Images/news.png Home Access to Technology consultation
January 2008

Image: Images/news.png NSPCC finds computer retailers unhelpful on child safety
November 2007

Image: Images/news.png What Do We Know About Children's Use of Online Technologies? A Report on Data Availability and Research Gaps in Europe
September 2007

Image: Images/news.png Comparing Children's Online Activities and Risks across Europe: A Preliminary Report Comparing Findings for Poland, Portugal and UK
September 2007

Image: Images/news.png Bullying guidance issued
September 2007

Bringing Up Britain

BBC Radio Four is broadcasting the first programme in a new series called Bringing Up Britain on Wednesday 2 April 2008 20:00-20:45
The Family and Parenting Institute's Director of Business Development, Honor Rhodes, is on the expert panel of the first programme.

BBC

 

Slim chance of being obese?

A third of all year-six school children are overweight.

That's according to the Department of Health's latest study into the height and weight of the nation's children which also found that one in four under-fives is obese or overweight.

Since 2005, 900,000 pupils aged five to 11 have taken part in the National Child Measurement Programme: part of the Government's fight to help people lead healthier lives.

Its plans include increasing the amount of PE enjoyed by children a week from two to five hours by 2011.

The Children's Society has also raised questions over the health and well being of young people through its study into the commercialisation of childhood in which 61% of parents said the Government should ban the advertising of unhealthy food.

 

Staying Safe: Action Plan

The Staying Safe Action Plan was published in response to the Staying Safe consultation on the cross-Government strategy for improving children and young people's safety. Staying Safe was launched for consultation in July 2007, The FPI response to this consultation is available Icon: Acrobat PDFhere.

This Action Plan sets out the work which Government will take forward over the next three years to drive improvements in children and young people's safety, which will be measured by the new PSA to improve children and young people's safety.
Every Child Matters

THE CHILDREN'S PLAN

On Tuesday 11 December the Government issued its new report The Children's Plan: building brighter futures, with a covering press release. FPI has put together a Icon: Acrobat PDFdetailed overview of the plan with a Icon: Microsoft Word Documentcovering letter.

WORK, INCOME AND CHILDCARE

The consultation on ending the right to income support for lone parents whose youngest child is 7 or over has just ended. Published responses include those from Icon: Acrobat PDFFPI and One Parent Families|Gingerbread.

A related report, Still home alone, by Karen Buck, a London MP, who examined the lack of childcare for 11 to 14 year olds, comes from 4Children.

Meanwhile the government has commissioned an independent review to look at whether the right to request flexible working should be extended to the parents of older children, and the Department for Work and Pensions has published statistics showing a fall of 133 thousand over the last year in the numbers claiming the key out of work benefits. Minister for Employment Caroline Flint said: "For these people getting off benefits and into work means the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Finding work can help boost self confidence and improve health as well as ensuring financial security." DWP research shows that more couples are in work and better off, according to new research by the DWP. The proportion of 'work-rich' couples (where both partners are in work) has increased from 57% in 1994/5 to 67% in 2005/6.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE SAFETY FEARS ABOUT THE NEW CONTACTPOINT DATABASE FOR CHILDREN IN ENGLAND

The Office For Standards In Education (OFSTED) has issued a press release on the new report published on 21 November by the Office of the Children's Rights Director for England (OCRD), which found that safety and confidentiality are the main issues for children and young people when asked for their views on the Government proposed rules for running the new ContactPoint database. These reflect some of the concerns expressed by the Family and Parenting Institute in its Icon: Acrobat PDF response to the Government's consultation Icon: Link to another website on the proposals for the database in July 2007. See also the news item from the Independent of Monday 26 November 2007, which includes a quote from Mary MacLeod, and the Minister's House of Commons statement about the delays to the implementation of the system.

Last updated: 24th October 2008 at 12:10:33