HomeSchooler.org.uk

"After the uncertainty of the past few weeks, the new ministerial line-up at the Department for Children, Schools and Families is now complete. Lauren Higgs investigates what it means for future policy.
First Beverley Hughes goes. Next, against all the odds, Ed Balls stays put. Then Dawn Primarolo becomes the new children's minister.

As if that wasn't enough drama for one week, Gordon Brown appointed three other new faces to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), boosting the ministerial crew from five to seven."...more...

Ramping up for the extra work..?

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

Balls is responsible for all policy in the Department for Children, Schools and Families

Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for Schools and Learners

Responsible for school standards, the national curriculum, 14-19 education and diplomas, schools funding, the schools workforce and Building Schools for the Future

Dawn Primarolo, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families

Responsible for the teenage pregnancy strategy, family policy, parenting support, Sure Start, childcare, early education, extended schools, youth justice and Every Child Matters

Kevin Brennan, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs, jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

Responsible for further education, apprenticeships, engaging employers in skills and sector skills councils

Diana Johnson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools

Main areas of responsibility are school admissions, special educational needs and the national curriculum

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, Young People and Families

Main policy areas are safeguarding and child protection, drugs and alcohol, sport and healthy eating

Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships

Will lead on apprenticeships, 14-19 qualifications, 16-19 funding, work-based learning, Neet young people, the Young People's Learning Agency and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Other relevant figures

Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

Responsible for all Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) policies

David Lammy, Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, BIS

Responsible for building relationships with the higher education sector, higher education teaching quality, higher education strategy, student support policy and student grants and loans

Gillian Merron, Minister of State for Public Health Department of Health (DH)

Responsible for children's public health, health inequalities and health improvement programmes covering smoking, alcohol, drugs, diet and nutrition, physical activity, obesity, sexual health and abortion

Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services, DH

Responsible for social care, local government and care partnership, learning and physical disabilities, disabled children, child and adolescent mental health services and prison and young offender health

Ann Keen, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health Services, DH

Responsible for healthcare quality, including children's health services and maternity services. Also leads on DH workforce issues

Helen Goodman, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions

Responsible for the government's child poverty unit

Ministry of Justice

Maria Eagle