Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
Secretary of State: Rt Hon Ed Balls MP
Selection of recent policy developments and publications:
The Department published Delivering 14-19 Reform: Next Steps in October 2008. This sets out the government’s overall 14-19 reform programme in terms of progress to date; further developments since it published 14-19 Education and Skills in 2005; and its wider objectives for every child aged 0 to 19 and beyond as set out in the 2007 Children’s Plan. Download a summary of the 14-19 Reform: Next Steps paper here, produced by One North East.
The White Paper ‘Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver’ (March 2008), published jointly by DIUS and DCSF, set out the government’s proposals for structural reform of the pre-19 and post-19 education, learning and skills system. The policy drivers underpinning these changes are ensuring the system can respond to demand, and the integration of employment and skills. The changes include planning and commissioning by local authorities for young people’s education and skills, and the setting up of new agencies such as the Skills Funding Agency, Young People’s Learning Agency, and National Apprenticeship Service, in place of the Learning and Skills Council. The Raising Expectations White Paper has been followed by a paper summarising the consultation events and responses, and one giving an update and next steps.
The Department’s 14-19 website is designed to keep users updated about the 14-19 reforms, improvements and plans for 14–19 education. The address is http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/
Please click here to view the DCSF website.