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Following consultation with young people and parents across the country, The Children’s Plan aims to:

• improve support for all families, particularly during the early years of their children’s lives
• work towards achieving ‘world class’ standards in schools
• involve all parents in their child’s learning
• provide a wider variety of activities for children outside of school, and more places for them to play

To achieve these goals, the government is committing £225m to rebuild and renew 3,500 playgrounds across the country. The money will also be used to build 30 new adventure playgrounds for 8-13 year olds in deprived communities.

Other key announcements include free childcare for two year olds from disadvantaged families, and – in response to the numbers of accidents involving children in their own homes - £18m of investment in home safety equipment, targeted at the most vulnerable families.

In schools, £18m has been earmarked to provide further support for those with special educational needs and disabilities, while £26.5m will be invested in trying new ways of teaching those who have been excluded from school. This will include trials of new Studio Schools, which will specialise in work-based learning and vocational training.

The Plan will also focus on improving standards in teaching, including long-term measures to ensure all teachers are qualified to Masters level. Closer ties between parents and teachers form a vital part of the new schools strategy, and each pupil will have a personal tutor who will act as the main point of contact for the parent.

Anti-social and risky behaviour in young people will also be tackled. This will see the development of a new alcohol action plan and drugs strategy, a review of sex and relationship education, and preventative measures targeting young people most at risk of offending.

Announcing the Children’s Plan, Ed Balls said: “We have been listening to parents, teachers, professionals and children and young people and the Children’s Plan responds to their concerns. Over the next ten years I believe this plan will herald a radical change in the range of positive activities for our young people and a revolution in the way parents are involved in their child’s education.”

Further information

• Download a full copy or a summary of the Children's Plan Opens new window