The message from government is clear: an element of risk-taking is good for learning and growth. There is an acknowledgement, as its accusers hold, that it has hitherto got the balance wrong in piling on measures to protect children without allowing them the freedom to develop. The plan states that for at-risk young people, a positive activities programme will run in 15 local authorities particularly affected by gang culture. More generally there will be a campaign to empower the public to understand and manage risks. It's clear that risk is back in fashion.
Nevertheless, much of the action plan justifiably contains safeguarding measures in the more traditional protection mould. There is a strong focus on safer recruitment procedures, specifically for the third sector, in advance of the new vetting and barring scheme the Independent Safeguarding Authority, and fresh guidance to aid joint working through local safeguarding children's boards.
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