Following a successful career as a practitioner, service manager and strategic leader in the care and education sectors, Dr Doug Martin became a policy writer and moved into higher education and teaches at Leeds Beckett University. Through his research, he investigates the complex issues impacting on vulnerable children, young people and families. He is a school governor and has been director, chair and advisor to a variety of voluntary sector organisations. He is also a member of the Leeds School Forum, taking an active role in helping to shape schooling in the city.
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The Commission on Young Lives final report outlines the present position our vulnerable children and families find themselves in 21st century Britain. The report is not an easy read as it outlines how increasing numbers of young people year upon year are lured into an alternative exploitative lifestyles via powerful, clever and manipulative adults. To add to this waste of young lives, the age of those being exploited is falling and now inclusive of primary school children. In schools, children and young people and broader services, we have heroic professionals attempting to minimise this growing exploitation. However, as Anne Longfield noted, in reality we are merely providing sticking plasters and not facing up to the challenge many of our children and families face.
