The charities, the NSPCC, Barnardo's and the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), have asked the parties to include five key policy commitments in their manifestos to help give children a safe and healthy future. They demand a campaign by MPs for independent children's commissioners, to be powerful champions for all children in the UK; a systematic review of all child deaths, to prevent children dying from abuse and neglect; a minimum income necessary for all families to ensure the health and well-being of their children; independent counselling schemes in all schools, to provide emotional support for all children who need it; and the right to an advocate for the interests of children in care.
NSPCC director Mary Marsh said, 'Children can't vote. We ask all voters to question their local candidates on their support for our five key calls and to use their vote to secure a safe and healthy future for our children.' Barnardo's chief executive Roger Singleton added, 'We welcome recent government initiatives, but the UK has a long way to go to get things right for its children and a real change is needed to make a sustained difference to their lives.'
CPAG director Martin Barnes said, 'Achieving real change and improvement in the lives of children requires a programme which is radical but practical and affordable. We are setting out an exciting and coherent vision for children for the 21st century, which we hope all politicians will sign up to.'
The NSPCC, Barnardo's and the CPAG have also produced a blueprint for Government on children's issues, 'Our children, their future - a manifesto', endorsed by more than 50 children's organisations. A version of the children's manifesto for Northern Ireland will be launched in Belfast on 3 April. A Welsh version, 'Wales' children, our future' was launched on 1 March.
* Meanwhile, the Government has set up a special team to help children and young people in England.
The Children and Young People's Unit will support cross-Governmental work on child poverty and across the nought to 19 age-range. It will also be responsible for implementing and managing the Children's Fund, of which Pounds 380m will be distributed to local partnerships to develop services to identify children aged five to 13 who are showing early signs of difficulty, and provide both them and their families with support.
Unit head Althea Efunshile said, 'The Fund will help vulnerable children and young people, listening to their needs and supporting them in breaking the cycle of poverty and disadvantage, especially in helping them before a crisis.
'It will pay for services such as mentoring programmes, befriending, parenting education and support, and counselling and advice.'
