CYP Now - NCB Now: Comment - Don't overlook positives in the schools whitepaper

When the schools white paper was being developed, NCB set Department for Education and Skills ministers one key challenge, which they told us they were determined to meet. The white paper, they said, would show that the integration agenda of Every Child Matters is entirely consistent with the government's approach to schools.

Well, so much for that aspiration. Higher Standards, Better Schools forAll focuses largely on structures for governance, encouraging greaterindependence of schools from local authority co-ordination. We have towait until chapter four to find references to vulnerable children, anduntil chapter six for a (cursory) reference to Every Child Matters. Andwhile there are several positive suggestions hidden within the document- including a major review of systems for supporting looked-afterchildren - the emphasis seems to be on transferring power from localauthorities to articulate parents.

Perhaps we should not be surprised. Every Child Matters promisedservices based around child and family, breaking down barriers betweendifferent professional groups. But we knew the old silos would seek toreassert themselves. There are many within the DfES, includingministers, who understand that we are at the beginning of a processwhich should bring change to all our traditional services, schoolsincluded.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included