Today, a fifth new Prime Minister in four years has moved into Number 10, the seventh since 2016. In his first speech as PM, Andy Burnham called on politicians to “raise our game” and to make “politics work” for Britain to regain a sense of certainty and stability.
Our focus – as ever – will be to ensure that this government prioritises the needs of all babies, children, young people and families and the systems that support them and enable them to thrive, for life.
In the immediate future, that means working with the government, and colleagues and partners from across sectors, to continue reforms of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, fully reflecting the breadth of insights gathered through extensive consultation and engagement events with children, families and the professionals who support them.
It means continuing to stand alongside our fellow children’s charities and local government in calling for continued and sustainable investment in children’s services to alleviate the financial pressure facing councils in England responding to families in crisis, and ensure they are able to enact the ambitious reforms to children’s social care.
It means ensuring plans for reforming the NHS are implemented in a way that takes into account the pressing needs of children, young people and families, including mental health needs.
And it means persuading the government that lasting improvements in children's online safety will come from a combination of strong regulation, effective enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2023, safer-by-design services, digital literacy and education, and meaningful engagement with children and young people themselves.
All of this work requires a continued focus on tackling poverty and inequality in our communities, recognising this is vital to ensuring every child can reach their potential.
We look forward to working with the new Prime Minister and his new Cabinet, and with our partners across the sector, to build on progress made, to amplify research evidence and the voices of children, young people and families, and to push for better childhoods and brighter futures.