The new post, created in last week's Government reshuffle, sees the former early years minister take responsibility for areas including children's services, childcare and provision for under-fives, and family policy, including parenting support and family law. She will also be responsible for the reform agenda to be set out in a forthcoming Green Paper on children who are 'at risk'.
Working under the education secretary, Charles Clarke, Mrs Hodge's specific responsibilities include oversight of Sure Start, early years, childcare, Connexions, LEA Special Education Needs, and the Youth Service; the Children and Young People's Unit; Children's Social Services and the Teenage Pregnancy Unit, which has been transferred from the Department of Health; responsibilities for family and parenting law and support, which has been transferred from the Lord Chancellor's Department; and the Family Policy Unit, which has been transferred from the Home Office.
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