This Action Plan examines the reasons why, despite the progress made, there are still individuals and families who are cut off. About 2.5 per cent of every generation appear to be stuck in a lifetime of disadvantage. Their problems are multiple, entrenched and often passed down through generations.The Plan also concentrates on some key groups. There will be more support for very young children born into vulnerable circumstances. There will also be action to reduce teenage pregnancy because teenage motherhood often leads to reduced opportunities for mother and child alike. A green paper on Children in Care aimed at increasing educational attainment and ensuring greater stability and continuity in care is due to be published today.

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PUBLIC SECTOR SLOW TO ADOPT MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Mobile technology has substantial potential benefits for staff who work away from the office, but take up of the wide range of products on the market has been slow. Although the technology features in the Transformational Government programme which is the successor programme to e-government, there has been no push from the centre to encourage adoption of mobile technology.

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NEED FOR RADICAL REFORM OF CHILDREN IN CARE

NCH, the children’s charity, has called for a radical reform of the care system in order to address the stark gap in achievements and lifestyle between children in care and others. The call comes on the day the green paper is published. The charity, which works with more children in care than any other, is calling on the Government to include in the green paper the prevention of children going into care, increased focus on mental health and well-being and improved support for care leavers.

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