Time to talk - Debate Your Children's Future

Parents and children have until the 19th Of October to get involved and put their views forward to help the government shape Children's services over the next 10 years.

A series of hard-hitting images are being launched today to help kick-start the debate and encourage people to have their say as part of Our Children, Time to Talk - the Government’s biggest-ever consultation about services for children.


Will these images provoke you to get involved? Do these real-life issues affect you? Do you feel your opinion can make a difference?

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, said:

“Government cannot and does not have a monopoly on good ideas. I want children, parents and young people to tell us what they think we should be doing.

“We have made huge strides over the last decade to improve services both in and out of schools for young people and parents. But there are new challenges facing Britain and 21st century families.

“We want to tap directly into the experience and expertise of the children, young people, parents and professionals who work with them to find what the big issues that need addressing.

“I hope these images will make people pause for thought and encourage them to get involved. I know how busy parents and families are but we need their help to make sure we are delivering the best possible services.

“This is a fresh way to spark the debate about what we can do better to help children achieve the best education, have a happy, healthy and safe childhood and prevent young people going off the rails and getting into trouble.”


Pupils will be the first to see the striking visuals when they are launched on the DCSF’s Time to Talk Diary Room roadshow which visits Plymouth next Monday on its nine-day tour of schools in the major English regions.


The visuals were supported by single mother Rebecca White, the 19-year-old finalist of ‘Britain’s Next Top Model’ and Time to Talk ambassador who has turned her life around since her daughter was born when she was only 16.

Rebecca said: “These images will really help kids focus on the issues we want to ask them about. I am passionate about helping to prevent young people from going off the rails like I did.”


More than 250 pupils aged 13-14 years old have already given their opinions in the Big Brother-style reality TV ‘Diary Room’ at schools in Gateshead, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham and Norwich.

Year 9 pupil Jonathan Dixon, 13, who attends Heworth Grange School in Gateshead, said: “I think this is a really good idea. I’m too young to vote but I think it’s good that we are able to get our opinions across and the Government’s listening to us.”

Finding out what young people think is a key aim of Our Children, Time to Talk which will determine the Children’s Plan for the next decade. The ‘Diary Room’ guarantees pupils a direct line to Ed Balls to say what they think in their own words which will feed then into the consultation.

A total of more than 500 pupils are expected to confide their views in the ‘Diary Room’ during the nine-day tour of schools throughout England. The tour began on 1 October in Gateshead and will visit all the major regions before its final date in London on 11 October.

A trained facilitator is emulating the ‘Big Brother’ role and will guide pupils through the consultation questions.


Others will be encouraged to jot down their views or go online. The questions are not just about education, but encourage people to go into detail about all other aspects of children’s lives outside of school, reflecting the wide remit of the department. It was reorganised to bring together for the first time under one roof, issues affecting all children, young people and families.


If you want to make a difference then have your say:

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