I have always found it baffling how little attention Westminster pays to supporting families to help their children to succeed.
It was good to hear the Prime Minister talking about the importance of family this week in his speech. But talking about families is one thing. Rethinking policies and designing services around the needs of families something completely different.
From more help with childcare to providing somewhere to turn when things go wrong, the default should be to support families to do what most do so well. Frequently it is not and that needs to change.
So often politicians seem squeamish about introducing policies specifically targeted at supporting families. Some may be worried about being accused of creating a 'nanny state', but by not acting we are leaving too many families high and dry without the help they to work, to gain parenting skills, and to find their way through family crisis when they occur.
