Family support and the Coalition: retrenchment, refocusing and restructuring
Family support and the Coalition: retrenchment, refocusing and restructuring
This chapter reviews recent developments in family support policies, entitlements and services in the first 18 months of the UK Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government in the UK. In light of the major developments in family support and children's services under the former Labour Government the chapter sets out three aspects of recent policy change: reductions in family support; a move away from principles of ‘progressive universalism’ to refocusing on targeted support and interventions for ‘dysfunctional and disadvantaged families’ and ‘the most disadvantaged children and young people’; and a new era of welfare state restructuring. While recognising the incremental nature of some policy changes, the chapter raises social justice and welfare concerns about the retreat in state support for families, children and young people which is accompanied by evermore emphasis on family responsibilities for children and childhood disadvantage.
Keywords: Family support, Family policy, UK Coalition Government, Parenting support, Children services
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