Open Consultation on Establishing the Child Protection Authority in England - DfE Consultation
The Department for Education are seeking views on setting up a national body called the Child Protection Authority to improve child protection. The aim is for the CPA to make the multi-agency child protection system clearer, more unified and ensure there are ongoing improvements through effective evidence-based support. The consultation is seeking views on the CPA’s proposed functions, governance, and interaction with existing bodies.
Deadline: 5 March
Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy - Select Committee Inquiry
The Education and the Work and Pensions Committees are jointly considering how the Government can deliver a successful Child Poverty Strategy (published in December). The Strategy sets out measures across three different areas: boosting family incomes, driving down the cost of essentials and strengthening local support.
The Committees will explore if the Government is being sufficiently ambitious and will consider how accountability, outcomes and the longevity of the Strategy could be strengthened through targets and monitoring and evaluation to ensure sustained work and progress.
Deadline: 6 March
Children and Young Adults in the Secure Estate - Select Committee Inquiry
The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into children and young adults in the secure estate in England and Wales to determine if the system effectively prevents offending while upholding a "child-first" approach. The inquiry will scrutinise the various types of secure settings and the suitability and safety of these environments.
Deadline: 13 March
Call for Evidence on Fostering for the future: improving the foster care system - DfE Consultation
The Department for Education is seeking views on a range of issues in fostering, evidence of what works, best practice and innovative ideas. This call for evidence accompanies an overarching vision and action plan for the future of fostering in England, renewing fostering: homes for 10,000 more children.
Deadline: 17 March
Children and Young People's Mental Health - Select Committee Inquiry
The Education and Health and Social Care Committees have jointly launched an inquiry into the mental health of children and young people. This inquiry will examine mental health support and services provided in education and community settings, available to children and young people up to the age of 25. The Committees wish to understand how this provision is integrated with specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), acute and other statutory NHS services.
Deadline: 27 March