I, like most parents, think that every child matters. So, to make sure every child is enjoying and achieving, I believe all children should be entitled to a good chunk of fun in their daily mix of activities. This is why the Children Bill is designed to put recreation back on the agenda when we discuss the delivery of services for healthy, happy children.
And when it comes to young people, we will be publishing a youth green paper later in the year that will explore how we can make sure young people have something to do and somewhere to go - something that young people have been crying out for.
Whether it's being able to play sport, listen to music or just having somewhere fun and safe to be with friends, how a child or young person spends his or her spare time has a massive impact on their education, health and overall wellbeing. That's why we're already working with local authorities and their partners to provide recreation and play activities in a co-ordinated way across their area. From the Sure Start programme, and the projects funded by the Children's Fund, through to the work that we are doing with schools on sport and other extended schools services, we want to encourage better opportunities for play and recreation for children of all ages and at all stages.
To help make sure this happens, new multi-inspectorate joint area reviews of children's services will assess whether there is a suitable range of recreational provision in the local authority area - play, informal leisure opportunities, the arts, sports and outdoor activities. Good for children, young people and parents.
- Got a question for the minister? Send it in to Donna Murphy, Children Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP or email donna.murphy@haynet.com.
