Policy Watch England

Consultation on Implementing the Recommendations of Imelda Walsh's Independent Review: Amending and extending the right to request flexible working to parents of older children

This consultation builds on an announcement made in November 2007, when the Prime Minister said the time was right to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of older children. A review by Imelda Walsh, carried out following this announcement, recommended the age cut-off for an 'older' child should be 16 and under, and the increase should be made in a single step and not staged. The consultation seeks views on these recommendations.

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Closing Date: Tuesday 18 November 2008

Consultation on Amendments to the General Teaching Council for England's Dsiciplinary Functions Regulations

This consultation seeks views on proposed amendments to regulations that require employers to notify the council of cases where an employer has ceased to use the services of a registered teacher for reasons of misconduct that do not raise issues of safety and welfare of children and young people.

Closing Date: Friday 28 November 2008

Consultation on the Future of Camden and Islington Youth Work

Consultation seeking views on various proposals dealing with work arising from the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington, including re-opening the youth court at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court. This should help relieve the pressure on Thames Youth Court.

Ministry of Justice

Closing Date: Friday 28 November 2008

Time for Action: Equipping Young People for the Future and Preventing Violence

Time for Action sets out the London Mayor’s vision for a programme of action for Equipping Young People for the Future and Preventing Violence. Feedback is sought on his proposals to improve youth opportunities and prevent violence through a programme for action. In particular, views are sought on the action strands in the framework, and how these can be further developed and implemented.

Closing Date: Tuesday 16 December 2008

Independent Review Mechanism (Fostering)

This consultation seeks views on proposals for the introduction of an independent review mechanism (IRM) relating to the approval of foster carers in England.

Closing Date: Wednesday 24 December 2008

Consultation on a National Framework For Assessing Children and Young People’s Continuing Care

This consultation seeks views on proposals for a national framework for assessing children and young people’s continuing care. The framework is intended to assist primary care trusts to apply a consistent and transparent approach to assessing the healthcare needs of children and young people and to work jointly with local authorities to provide services.

Closing Date: Wednesday 31 December 2008

Ofsted and DCSF Consultation: Indicators of a school's contribution to well-being

A consultation seeking views on proposals for the development of strong school-level indicators of pupils’ well-being.

Closing Date: Friday 16 January 2009

Reducing reoffending in London: Consultation

A consultation on proposed priorities for the delivery of prison and probation services in London and joint working between agencies to reduce reoffending.

Closing Date: Friday 30 January 2009

Statutory Guidance: The Roles and Responsibilities of the Lead Member for Children's Services and the Director of Children's Services

Following consultation, this guidance will replace the 2005 publication "Statutory guidance on the roles and responsibilities of the Director of Children's Services and Lead Member for Children's Services". The guidance aims to explain how the roles of the LM and DCS are distinct and complementary.

Closing Date: Tuesday 10 February 2009

Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill

Government bill to establish a Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission and amend the law on child support.

Department for Work and Pensions

Children and Young Persons Bill

A Bill to introduce legislation around local authority social work practices, in particular the treatment of children in care. Would bring in the legislation necessary to back the Care Matters reforms.

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

Wide ranging criminal justice bill that includes proposed legislation to introduce a single community sentence for juvenile offenders, the youth rehabilitation order.

Ministry of Justice

Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill

Would introduce the legal changes necessary to allow unclaimed assets in dormant bank accounts to be redistributed to worthy causes. The intention is for a significant portion of the money to be spent on services for young people.

HM Treasury

Drugs (Reclassification) Bill 2007-08

Private members' bill to increase the classification on cannabis.

Christopher Chope MP

Education (Children with Autism) Bill 2007-08

Private members' bill to improve services for children with autism and Asperger's syndrome.

Lee Scott MP

Education and Skills Bill

Introduces a range of provisions on education, including powers to allow the government to raise the school leaving age to 18. Also covers careers advice, and apprenticeships.

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Health and Social Care Bill

Wide ranging government bill covering the regulation and quality of health and social care services.

Department of Health

Online Purchasing of Goods and Services (Age Verification) Bill 2007-08

Private members' bill mainly concerned with the sale of age-restricted products to children online.

Margaret Moran MP

Runaway and Missing Children Bill 2007-08

Private members' bill to improve support for children and young people who runaway from home.

Helen Southworth MP

Special Educational Needs (Information) Bill 2007-08

A Private members' bill that would see the outcomes of children with special educational needs published to increase pressure on local authorities.

Sharon Hodgson MP

Voting Age (Reduction) Bill

Private members' bill to reduce the voting age for parliamentary and other elections to 16.

Julie Morgan MP

Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver

White paper containing proposals to back the government's aim of increasing the education and training leaving age to 18. Plans include transferring £7bn to local authorities for them to invest in education provision, and scrapping the Learning and Skills Council. Open for consultation until 9 June.

Department for Children, Schools and Families/Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills