The Children's Society is increasingly concerned about the way in which childhood today is both experienced and understood.
We are wealthier than fifty years ago but the well-being of children in the UK is rated amongst the lowest in Europe, with our young people experiencing increasing levels of mental health problems - problems that particularly affect the disadvantaged children The Children's Society works with on a daily basis.
There is a climate of fear and confusion surrounding children and young people: preoccupied with protecting our own children from harm, we often fail to reach out to those who need attention most. And all the while our young people are continually subjected to pressure to achieve, behave and consume like adults at an ever earlier age.
How will the inquiry work?
Professor Judith Dunn, the eminent child developmental psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London will chair a panel of leading experts and influencers.
The inquiry panel will meet throughout 2007/08 to discuss the findings of our national call for evidence as well as existing research around each of the inquiry's six themes. A final report with recommendations will be published at the end of the inquiry in early 2009.
While The Good Childhood Inquiry is managed by The Children's Society, the inquiry panel and their proceedings are independent.
The aim of The Good Childhood Inquiry panel is to produce an evidence-based report that can help to improve the lives of children and young people in the UK today. You can read through the inquiry panel terms of reference.
How will children and young people be heard?
Children and young people are at the centre of The Good Childhood Inquiry and will be involved at every stage. The Children's Society has already asked 8,000 young people aged 14 to 16 years what they think makes for a good childhood in the UK today. Their answers, which are summarised in our launch report helped shape the inquiry's form and content. They will also be submitted as evidence to the inquiry.
The inquiry's microsite enables children and young people to keep up-to-date with what their peers have told us. Visit the mylife microsite.