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Since we launched the campaign for children and young people’s wellbeing measurement in September with Pro Bono Economics (PBE), The Children’s Society and Fair Education Alliance, the coalition has grown to over 60 supporters. Organisations, think tanks and trade unions from across the education, youth, sport and voluntary sectors have joined our call, recognising the broad benefits of a consistent approach to measuring young people’s wellbeing.
We have also broken through into the national media space, achieving coverage in Schools Week, CYP Now and multiple articles in the Times, showcasing the support of Members of the House of Lords including former Education Secretary Lord Blunkett and former Cabinet Secretary Lord O’Donnell.
In April, PBE hosted an event in Westminster, bringing together parliamentarians, researchers, young people and sector leads. The panel discussed the need for a national measure, and highlighted the ways in which a survey delivered in schools can bring together the whole community in responding to the results.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill continues to present an opportunity for change. We have worked with Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords to table amendments for wellbeing measurement in both chambers. During the Bill’s second reading in the Lords, Peers demonstrated strong cross-party support with ten Peers explicitly mentioning the campaign – making it the single most mentioned item that isn’t present in the Bill.
Representatives from the campaign met with Baroness Jacqui Smith and Minister Stephen Morgan to discuss our proposal, and have had encouraging conversations with the Department for Education. We look forward to keeping up the momentum throughout the summer, ready for Lord O’Donnell’s amendment to be debated during Committee Stage of the Bill in the autumn.
Thank you to all the supporters who have joined us and continue to spread the word. Check out #BeeWell’s National Director James Robertson talk about our progress in the video above, and head to our campaign website for more information if you’re new.
