Well-being for children and young people

In March 2007, the ESRC and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) hosted a seminar on well-being for children and young people. Speakers included Professor Jonathan Bradshaw, an expert on national and international indicators of children's well-being, Professor Marjorie Smith, an internationally renowned researcher on the issue of children's experience of childhood and Anne Jackson, Director of Strategy for Every Child Matters in the Children,Young People and Families Directorate at the Department for Education and Skills. These speakers outlined current evidence and offered their interpretations both of the current situation and future policymaking priorities. This booklet highlights in brief some of the evidence presented and the discussion. It also presents some of the participants' conclusions on the most pressing priorities in terms of improving outcomes for our children and young people.