Debate opened on a 'good childhood'

The 12-member inquiry panel includes the children's commissioner for England, Sir Al Aynsley Green, and it will be chaired by Professor Judith Dunn, child development psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is its patron.

Last week a letter to The Daily Telegraph signed by more than 100 child experts highlighted the incidence of depression among children and called for a national debate on childhood.

Speaking at the inquiry's launch on Monday, chief executive of the Children's Society Bob Reitemeier said, 'There is clearly a mood in the UK that as a society we have got some important things wrong about childhood.

We need to turn this into positive action. The Good Childhood Inquiry is a chance for everyone to share in creating a new vision for childhood for the 21st century. We need the views of everyone across all generations, skills and disciplines. And we need to start with the views of children.'

To develop the inquiry, 8,000 children and young people across England took part in a Children's Society survey which asked them what they thought were the most important things that make for a good life for young people and what they thought 'stopped people from having a good life'.

Meanwhile, also on Monday, the Liberal Democrats introduced plans for flexible working schemes and a Maternity Income Guarantee, which the party said would put the interests of children at the centre of Government policy in family life.

Annette Brooke, Liberal Democrat children spokesperson, said, 'We believe that support must be preventative, available to all and locally led.'

Those wishing to join in the Children's Society debate have until 13 November to log on at www.goodchildhood.org.uk.

* See 'In my view', page 31