The report by the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee, a cross-party group of MPs that examines DCSF policy, will welcome the department's formation but says its sprawling remit presents a major challenge.
Labour MP Barry Sheerman, chair of the committee, told CYP Now: "The DCSF is a unique department - there's been nothing like it before. But it also has the most challenging departmental arrangements ever created. It has lead responsibility on many issues, but not necessarily control of the resources needed to deliver. That puts an enormous onus on co-operating with other departments."
The report, The DCSF and the Children's Plan Session 2007/08, will point to tensions between Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Children's Secretary Ed Balls as one example of the problems the DCSF faces.
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