Children's Services : Time for a new approach - A discussion paper

Public discussion about children contains many and sometimes contradictory strands.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critique of one of these strands: a public discussion about the relationship between children, parents and society which has been gathering force for some years.

It is not the only discussion to be heard on this subject: but we think it sufficiently influential to merit the title of 'dominant discourse'.

This 'dominant discourse' has been very productive. It has shaped and sustained public policy towards children and towards services for children.

This paper offers an alternative discourse which can be productive in another way, giving rise to a new approach to children's services based on the following: a coherent and holistic policy towards childhood and children, a recognized place for children in society as well as in the family, and respect for children and the promotion of their rights.