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Capital Child Newsletter - Issue 1

Towards a child-friendly, safe and inclusive London

Welcome to Capital Child – the first of what we intend shall be a regular e-bulletin from the Children and Young People’s Unit (CYPU) in the Mayor’s Office of the Greater London Authority.

The Bulletin aims to provide an easily accessible update on work to implement the Mayor’s Children and Young People’s Strategy (launched in January 2004), plus an overview of key policy developments and new initiatives, and work with our partner agencies.

Since its full establishment in April 2004, members of the new Unit have worked hard to build good links across the GLA group and with key external partners, such as the Association of London Government and Government Office for London. The Mayor’s strategy – Making London Better for All Children and Young People – contains a ten-year timetable for delivery of 27 policies and 86 action points to improve the welfare, safety, health and participation in decision-making of London’s children.

Other highlights have included the Mayor’s launch of his draft Play Strategy Guide (in August) at a major event in Trafalgar Square to mark national Playday and hosting the Second European Child in the City Conference in October. We have just launched two new reports bringing together the most comprehensive picture to date of children’s lives and their views on growing up in London, alongside a wonderful children’s photography exhibition in City Hall, for International Children’s Day on 20th November.

November also saw Parliamentary approval of the long-awaited Children Bill enacting the biggest reform of children’s services for over 30 years, including the introduction of a Children’s Commissioner for England. Although we were disappointed that that eventual powers of the new Commissioner will not be as strong as those appointed in the rest of the UK, we were pleased that the Joint Committee on Human Rights supported the Mayor’s case for the new Commissioner to have a distinctive regional presence.

So, taken together with the recent announcement of the National Childcare Strategy and the anticipated Green Paper on Youth in the new year, 2005 promises to be at least as eventful, if not more so, than 2004. Through the Bulletin, we hope to establish more regular communications with those working on improved policies and services for all of London’s children. Do let us have your views and thoughts on Capital Child – and forward it to others who may be interested.

Caroline Boswell,
Manager, Children and Young People's Unit