RichardS

      Ed Balls in full flow.....

I spent yesterday in Central Hall Westminster with about 150 other DCSs and some Chief Executives at the invitation of Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, to talk about implementing the government's Children's Plan. It was a big day with the whole ministerial team present in person + 1 via cyberspace, together with ministers from the Dept of Justice and the Department of Health comming to speak on young peoples issues in their area. A double big day as earlier Ed had launched the new Play funding and Beverley Hughes the My Place initiative. On my table were 5 DCSs, one Chief Constable representing ACPO, me and a young person from a London High School. Delivering the plan is key to the nations future all agreed. We also got the chance to contribute to delivery plans through interaction with ministers and senior civil servants. It must have costs a lot in time and money - but it was worth it. Questions to ministers from the floor focused on youth justice issues, joining up schools with Every Child Matters more effectively, and young peoples voice amongst other things. The most disappointing thing was the young people had been included to help us with some technology - not to join the debate.....

You can see the lauch video here  (you will need to cut and paste this link)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoKE_d27u5A&feature=PlayList&p=CCAB9183AFDB78A0&index=1

You can click this link to get the plan summary http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/childrensplan/