The Children’s Plan, published in December 2007 by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, sets out the Government’s strategy for support for children, young people and families up to 2020. The Plan introduces a number of initiatives and plans for further reviews under a series of key themes:

Securing the wellbeing and health of children and young people
This theme focuses on advice and guidance for parents, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, support for young carers and further help for families with disabled children. New funding is promised for parenting advisers in every local authority area, to offer holidays to disabled children and to improve playground facilities for all children. Further reviews and strategies on play, child health (including mental health) and housing are planned.

Safeguarding the young and vulnerable
This section focuses on the safety of children in the home and on the street, but encourages a proportionate approach to risk assessment in relation to children’s activities. There are also initiatives on bullying and further plans in relation to vetting people who work with children. Further reviews include the impact of video games and the commercial world on children’s wellbeing.

Education and skills
This theme addresses individual achievement, closing the gap for disadvantaged children, participation and achievement for young people up to 18. New funding is promised to support children with key skills and to extend family learning schemes in schools; there is also further investment in early education and support for children with special needs. It is intended to progressively raise the legal age for leaving education to 18 by 2015, and to increase investment in engagement with young people who have dropped out of education, employment or training. There will be further consultations on the education system, and reviews of support for special needs, the primary curriculum and strategies for dealing with poor behaviour. There are also plans to improve the environmental impact of schools.

Keeping young people on the path to success
The focus of this theme is enabling young people to take part in positive activities and improved support for young offenders. There will be further strategies on drugs, alcohol and sex education and reviews of support for young offenders.

System reform
This final section considers the arrangements for Children’s Trusts and promises a new children’s workforce strategy early in 2008.

The full Children’s Plan and an executive summary are available at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/childrensplan/?pid=childrens_plan