2009 was a dynamic year for children and young people's policy, and the momentum is set to continue throughout 2010. The final report of the Social Work Taskforce, set up by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in January 2009, was released in December and it makes 15 recommendations for improving social work, with major implications for how social workers operate in the children's sector.
In addition, the sector has the implications of the Pre-Budget Report to take on board. On the legislative front, the Child Poverty Bill, the Equality Bill, the Children, Schools and Families Bill, the Crime and Security Bill and the Children's Rights Bill form a considerable list that many NCB members and the sector in general will need to keep abreast of, as each bill has the potential to impact considerably on children and young people in Britain.
In the background, NCB's Policy Unit has been working hard to keep members informed with regular and detailed updates that cut through the jargon on legislation, Parliamentary activities, and outcomes from reports and inquiries with implications for policy and practice within the sector. As one satisfied member reports: "I feel like we are the first to know about anything connected with government policy."
BRIEFING BENEFITS
Briefings are free to NCB membership. Members receive a comprehensive monthly child policy and Parliamentary update, along with special briefings on relevant issues. Special briefings throughout 2009 included:
- Queen's Speech and bills update
- 21st century schools white paper
- Final Social Work Taskforce report
- Social mobility white paper
