Margaret Hodge is returning to the early years field as England's first-ever minister for children.
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.
The Government said the integration of children's policy into the Department for Education and Skills would 'create a single departmental focus for children, including disadvantaged children, improved co-ordination within children's services, and between these services and mainstream schools and education policy'.
A DfES spokeswoman said Catherine Ashton would continue to be Sure Start minister, but it was not yet clear how her other responsibilities for childcare and the early years would work in practice with Mrs Hodge's new appointment.
Mrs Hodge said her new role would be 'extremely challenging'. She added, 'The Government is determined to encourage and support everyone involved in addressing children's needs. To do so, it must bring together more effectively policy and delivery responsibilities at national level. That is what my appointment is all about.'
Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat shadow minister for children, described the creation of the new post as 'a long overdue recognition of the Government's lamentable record on failing to drive up the educational attainments of looked-after children'. But, he added, 'Having a clear ministerial champion for children does not let the Government off the hook of needing to set in place an independent children's commissioner who can speak out on behalf of children.'
The early years sector welcomed Mrs Hodge's return after two years as higher education minister. National Childminding Association chief executive Gill Haynes said, 'Everyone recognises her personal commitment to championing joined-up services to children and quality services. The childminding community is delighted to welcome her back.'
Daycare Trust director Stephen Burke said, 'Bringing together responsibility for all services for children and young people makes real sense.' Rosemary Murphy, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said, 'The role of children's minister is an important step in achieving a joined-up approach to the whole spectrum of services for children and families, and supports the goal of quality, affordable childcare for all.'
