Children England is leading an inquiry into what the welfare state would look like if it recognised and supported all children's need for home, safety, love, health and purpose (a paraphrasing of Maslow's five needs).
The diagram above shows how Children England see the 'branches' of the welfare state informed by a child-centred version of Maslow's five needs, and fed by the 'roots' of a sustainable economy and environment, and authentic democracy and human rights.
The inquiry will involve testing the branches of the current welfare state to see how well they deliver on children's need for home, safety and security, love and belonging, health, and purpose - and how new policies and practices could be designed and structured to enable them to do this better. There are of course other branches of the welfare state (for instance childcare) that don't affect children's lives as comprehensively, and Children England are prepared to include any other branches that become important or even to invent any that become necessary! Children England have used 'neighbourhoods' to conceptualise the physical spaces where people live, work and play (as opposed to communities of people, which might not be geographically specific) as well as environmental factors such as air quality.
Children England believe the welfare state - in all its provisions - should holistically support the needs of ALL children, irrespective of their background, history or immigration status.
Children England are gathering ideas from policy and practice
There are plenty of ideas - some already being tested in the UK and beyond - for services and systems built holistically on people's needs. Children England would like to hear from individuals and organisations with experience or expertise in any branch of the welfare state to share examples of what's working, what's not and which new ideas we should explore.
Have you got an idea to suggest?
Have you spotted an idea from policy or practice that you think the Inquiry should take on board? Or do you know someone who has experience or expertise that they might want to contribute (including yourself)?
For further information, visit: www.childrenengland.org.uk/childfairstate