In its manifesto published today (Thursday),The Children's Society has called on the government to reassess all policies including healthcare, transport and housing to judge their impact on the wellbeing of children.
The report also urges the Children's Secretary to take prime responsibility for all children, including young offenders and refugees.
Katherine Hill, the society's parliamentary adviser, said: "The Children's Society wants an assurance from each political party that responsibility for children will remain a cabinet-level post.
"The key thing we wish to see change is that this post should include responsibility for all children as currently lead responsibility for some groups of children sits with other departments, such as the Home Office or Ministry of Justice.
"We think the cabinet minister for children should have prime responsibility and accountability for all groups of children, including these groups."
Other commitments in the manifesto include pushing for:
- Investment in training in listening to children at all levels of the children's workforce
- Constructive solutions, not punitive measures, for children who are in trouble with the law, those who have drugs or alcohol problems, and those that run away from home
- Outlawing negative age discrimination against children
- Incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into British legislation.
