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Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 8: 8: Before Clause 7, insert the following new Clause— ““Well-being of children and young persons (1) It is the general duty of the Secretary of State to promote the well-being of children in England. (2) The general duty imposed by subsection (1) has effect subject to any specific duties imposed on the Secretary of State. (3) The activities which may be undertaken or supported in the discharge of the general duty imposed by subsection (1) include activities in connection with parenting. (4) The Secretary of State may take such action as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to promote the well-being of— (a) persons who are receiving services under sections 23C to 24D of the 1989 Act; and (b) persons under the age of 25 of a prescribed description. (5) The Secretary of State, in discharging functions under this section, must have regard to the aspects of well-being mentioned in section 10(2)(a) to (e) of the Children Act 2004 (c.31). (6) In this section— ““children”” means persons under the age of 18; and ““prescribed”” means prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State.”” The noble Lord said: The Government are moving this amendment to reflect properly in statute the Secretary of State’s policy responsibilities for the well-being of children. Our intention is to demonstrate the Government’s long-term commitment to improving the lives of children and young people and in doing so to secure financial propriety for the Secretary of State to form relationships with partners effectively to deliver these improvements. The extensive consultation that informed the recent publication of the first ever national Children’s Plan set out the value that children, young people and families place on a positive experience of childhood. The concept of well-being runs through the Children’s Plan and builds on the changes implemented through the Every Child Matters reforms. A strengthened focus on play, social and emotional skills and talent, for example, will all be important in enhancing opportunities for children and young people to enjoy a happy and healthy childhood. The Secretary of State has for many years carried out activities for the benefit of children. In particular, he is already required by Section 10 of the Education Act 1996 to promote the education of the people of England and Wales. The significant developments in government policy over recent years through the Every Child Matters agenda have seen the Secretary of State recognise the need to look more closely at the holistic needs of children and the wide range of matters affecting a child’s life, happiness and prospects other than just his or her education. We believe that the time is now right to recognise in statute the broader responsibilities of the Secretary of State for the well-being of children. This duty is in line with current duties on local authorities and schools to promote the well-being of children. It also reflects the Secretary of State’s general policy responsibilities in a manner that complements the operational responsibilities of local children’s services and brings a consistent focus on children’s outcomes at every level of the system. In addition to the well-being duty for all children, this amendment gives the Secretary of State a power to promote the well-being of care leavers over the age of 18 and others under the age of 25 as provided for in regulations, to recognise the importance of supporting vulnerable groups of young people through their transition into adulthood at a national level as well as through the existing corporate parenting responsibilities of local authorities. I commend the amendment to the House. I beg to move.