Tuesday, November 8, 2022

I was delighted to read the report ‘Family and its protective effect’*, which was recently published by the office of the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel De Souza.

The report, using both qualitative and quantitative research, shows that a stable family environment is uniquely placed to provide an insulating effect from external pressures and that children who grow up with supportive and accessible parents are more likely to be healthy and have more productive and successful careers.

It also traces the direct causality between family breakdown and issues such as unemployment and mental health.

It is therefore unsurprising that Dame De Souza deems that an investment in family is the single greatest investment which can be made and states that the government should unashamedly pursue policies which support and strengthen family life.

I was also particularly delighted to note that much of the report directly overlaps with WAVE Trust’s research in the 2013 Conception to Age 2 report and 2015 Building Great Britons manifesto, and I have no hesitation in joining with Dame De Souza in her call for government to make family-based policy their top priority.

 

What’s your view?

Do you believe that every child has the right to a happy childhood? Is this something you think you could speak to your representatives about? WAVE has an extensive and diverse group of ambassadors who are advocating for this very thing and we’d love for you to join our family too.

Become an ambassador today by filling out an application form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss the role in further length shortly afterwards.

If you don't feel ready to sign up as an ambassador, but have some ideas, leave your comments below! 

*Report: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/family-and-its-protective-effect-part-1-of-the-independent-family-review/

 

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Alex Williamson is 70/30 Campaign Manager and 70/30 Ambassador Coordinator at WAVE Trust.