Policy and lobbying

Our policy team learn from our national practice base and our groundbreaking research to find solutions to the problems children are facing today and lobby the government to change these.

The Children's Society has championed disadvantaged children throughout its 130-year history and today our policy work is focused on these groups of disadvantaged children:

• children in poverty including disabled children
• children at risk including children who run away and those involved in or at risk of sexual exploitation
• young refugees and migrants including trafficked and Gypsy Roma Traveller children

By focusing our efforts on the most marginalised or discriminated young people we strive to ensure that every child has a good childhood.

Our policy work

We work closely with both national and local government. We actively engage with ministers, their advisors and civil servants to influence policy development and set out policy solutions. This includes conducting policy analysis and research to inform government policy and submitting responses to government consultations. We are seeking to more actively influence local government as they are given greater discretion to determine priorities and resourcing.

Our policy recommendations are backed by sound research evidence and the experience of the young people we work with. We also work in partnership with those who share our goals, including think tanks, other voluntary sector organisations and agencies to share experiences and maximise our impact.

Read our most recent consultation responses.

Our parliamentary work

We work closely with MPs and peers across all political parties to achieve our influencing objectives and ensure the views and experiences of the young people we work with reach decision makers. This includes giving evidence to parliamentary committees, acting as secretariat for All Party Parliamentary Groups and inquiries, lobbying on specific legislation, and informing parliamentarians about our key concerns through briefings.

Find out more about our parliamentary work and read our briefings.

Read our blogs

Read regular blogs from our team of experts on our latest work and current issues affecting the young people we work with.

Sign up to our policy update

Subscribe to receive our quarterly policy update and stay informed about our latest news, reports, consultation responses, events and campaigns.

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on @childsocpol for regular updates on our work, comment, debate, opinions and more!

Our events

Our series of events are a platform for debate, sharing ideas and a chance to hear from influential speakers and experts in the field on the key issues in children's policy. Find out about our next event and book a place.

Learn more and take action

• Read blogs by the policy team
• Follow us on Twitter
• Read about our parliamentary work
• Read our consultation responses to government