The Early Days – 2016-2022 – Children’s First (Royal PA, PH Affairs and Water Babies)
During the period of 2022-2024, the Children’s Alliance achieved significant successes through advocacy and policy work.
Policy Recommendations from new Working Groups: In collaboration with hundreds of organisations/partners, including the holding of a fantastic conference at/with the Worcester Business School, the Children’s Alliance established working groups to address key areas affecting children’s health and well-being. The shared goal was to create evidence-based policy changes at the national, regional, and local levels. These efforts resulted in several well received reports with policy recommendations that we brought to parliament.
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- A Preconception Care Strategy: A report that focuses on a fully-funded national strategy for mental health starting from preconception.
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- A Plan for Play: This report, sponsored by Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL), advocates for play as a solution to childhood mental health and obesity issues.
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- The Role of the Family in Early Years Education: Sponsored by Babbu, this report highlights the importance of families in a child’s early development.
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- The Early Years Report: Titled “The Health & Wellbeing of Children in the Early Years,” it provides a roadmap for improving child outcomes.
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- The Physical Health Report: This document, titled “The Physical Health of Children and Young People,” proposes measures to prevent the next generation from being the “least healthy in living memory.”
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- The Mental Health Report: Titled “The Mental Health of Children and Young People,” this report proposes improvements to mental health services following a 90% increase in urgent referrals for children in 2021.
- Power of Play: A report produced by the Early Years Working Group.1
Partnerships and Campaigns: The Children’s Alliance partnered with PH Affairs to advocate for a dedicated Cabinet Minister and Department for Children, Young People, and Families. The organisation led nationwide campaigns on child poverty, mental health, and safeguarding, and successfully influenced policy changes, including the expansion of early childhood education programmes and improvements to child welfare legislation.
