Making big local: how to include the most neglected children and young people?
The Studio, Cannon Street: Tuesday October 5 2010; 9:00 – 10:00
Chair: Councillor Baroness Richie of Brompton, Chairman of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board
Honoured guested:
George Freeman MP, Member of Parliament for Mid-Norfolk
Dr Sandra Gruesco, Head of Children and Families, ResPublica
Dame Clare Tickell, Chief Executive, Action for Children
Pamela Chesters, Action for Children, Chair of trustees and Mayoral Advisor for health and youth opportunities, GLA
John Ransford CBE, Chief Executive, Local Government Association
Marcus Jones MP, Member of Parliament for Nuneaton
Charlotte Leslie MP, Member of Parliament for Bristol North West
Laura Sandys MP, Member of Parliament for South Thanet
Action for Children, Halton Youth Service members: Alan Martin, Chris Baker, Ste Sadler, Claire Bazley, Sean Jameson and Sammy Mullinger
Speakers;
Maria Miller MP, Minister for Disabled People
The Chair, Councillor Baroness Richie, began by thanking a small group of young children involved in Action for Children Halton Youth Service for the work that they carry out to improve of the lives of children in their community.
Richie went on to introduce the guest of honour Maria Miller MP, Minister for Disabled People.
Paying tribute to Action for Children, Miller explained the support that the organisation provides for vulnerable children in the UK.
“Aiding children who live in the most difficult circumstances, Action for Children provides an opportunity for each child to reach their potential in life, which is not only vital but also is what drives me in my position” Miller explained.
As Minister for Disabled People she went on to state that the government is able to provide a framework for organisations in which to operate allowing them to support children in this country. However, she said, their efforts are essentially limited in the sense that they cannot fill gaps filled by other organisations, communities and family.
Miller stressed that it is a personal responsibility for each individual to discover the root causes of behaviour rather than to simply attempt to prevent the symptoms, stating that “for too long we have treated symptoms”.
Highlighting the issue of teenage pregnancy, Miller emphasised the importance being non-judgmental, asking the question of whether schools should focus on educating their pupils about relationships rather than simply informing them of the biology of sexual education.
Miller concluded by elucidating her definition of success;
“Success is each child, no matter where they live, receiving a true opportunity to realise their potential.”
Councillor Baroness Richie closed the event by instructing the audience to “fill in the gaps in your communities”.
Question and answer session;
Baroness Richie instructed each individual table to appoint an individual to read five questions for those sitting around their own table to answer.
Member of Parliament for Mid-Norfolk, George Freeman, began the session by asking whether or not life outcomes for teenage mothers are poor before turning to a member of the Halton Youth Service George saying “you must come across this a lot ?”
The table then discussed how local authorities are measured on their teenage pregnancy rates thereby making the assumption that being a teenage mother is wrong.
A fringe attendee felt this presumption is often a misconception created by the media stigmatising the teenage mothers. The attendee raised the question regarding how the community may support the mothers and ensure that relationships between them and the community do exist.
Reading from a card, Freeman asked the question of local authorities looking after rough sleepers as children.
Freeman explained that children have a deep profound human need to be connected, which the government may not necessarily be able to provide.
“Statistically, children in care have poor future prospects, often experiencing mental health issues such as depression.” Says Freeman.
The controversial question of whether or not one’s parents need to be married in order for the children to have a good start in life was then asked by Freeman with varying and resolute answers being offered by the fringe attendees.
Responses included the notion of a stable family unit above marriage which is essentially the ideal.
One attendee stated that the word ‘need’ should be replaced by the word ‘desirable’.
Finally, Freeman asked if it is the government’s possibility to ensure every child has a good start in life.
This question prompted a plethora of responses, in particular highlighting the need for a partnership between the government and the parent(s).
Other points were raised such as, the government concentrating on the most vulnerable children above any other child. Although swiftly refuted by another attendee describing initiatives by the government such as Surestart centres which he explained wher vital in improving the prospects of young children.
Freeman concluded the question by agreeing that the government must support the parent rather than simply ‘taking over’ from the parent.
