Bill must clarify responsibility for children's plans

The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill contains aclause that makes children's trusts legally responsible for targets inthe plans. But Annette Brooke MP told CYP Now that the clause is toovague. She plans to table an amendment at the next stage of the bill tomake it clear who is liable for individual targets.

She said: "The move is positive but I'd like to see something firmerabout who is responsible for each bit of the plan. In the past, the buckstopped with the director of children's services."

Brooke suggested that a senior primary care trust official should beresponsible for health outcomes.

She also wanted the bill to force local behaviour partnerships to workwith pupil referral units, but the government has promised to includethis measure in statutory guidance instead.

Nick Gibb, shadow minister for schools, is planning to propose severalamendments to the bill.

He told CYP Now that the bill must specify how many hours youngapprentices should spend in work before qualifying. He said: "Ourconcern is that there is a genuine work element in everyapprenticeship."

He also raised concerns about the part of the bill that legislates forthe closure of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). "I agree that theLSC should be abolished, but considering we're in a recession, I don'tthink it's the right time," he said.

"Getting rid of one agency and replacing it with the Young People'sLearning Agency, the Skills Funding Agency and the NationalApprenticeship Service might not be cost-effective."

The Department for Children, Schools and Families was unable for commentas CYP Now went to press.

Amendments to the bill will now be considered at the report stage.