Theme 2: Children

While nearly all submissions to the DCEDIY SoS made strategy and policy suggestions relating to children, the analysis in this section draws primarily on those 35 submissions where children were a key focus. The main issues that emerged across these submissions included the need for greater collaboration with children and organisations that work with children, and the impact of the pandemic on children, particularly the most vulnerable. Overall, references to children can be separated into the following sub-themes:

• Collaboration and participation in decision-making - The impacts of Covid-19 on children - Poverty and homelessness - Child protection, welfare and adoption - Better Outcomes Brighter Futures - Prevention and early intervention - Child health - Research - Working arrangements for parents

These sub-themes will now be discussed in more detail.