Recent Publications

Early Years Foundation Stage - Everything you need to know

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) media pack
(Published August 2008)
The EYFS is a play-based framework which acknowledges that every child is unique and that they learn and develop at different rates and in different ways. It combines three existing sets of standards which nurseries and other childcare settings already follow into one standard for people working in all types of childcare. It means that parents can be reassured that their children are in good hands and, most importantly, are safe.
This pack gives a comprehensive outline of the EYFS, with case studies and early learning goals.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Review: interim report
(Published 29 July 2008)
This interim report welcomes the improvements in how services promote and protect the psychological health and well-being of our children and young people, while pointing out that there is still a great deal more to do. The Review, chaired by Jo Davidson, Group Director of Children and Young People's Services at Gloucestershire County Council, identifies six main areas for future recommendations.
Draft Apprenticeships Bill
(Published 16 July 2008)
A draft Bill, inviting responses to its proposals to establish a statutory basis for the Apprenticeships programme, to set out the relationship between different parts of the system and ensure that an apprenticeship offers a high quality route to acquiring skills.
Youth Crime Action Plan
(Published 16 July 2008)
This plan sets out a triple-track approach of enforcement and punishment, prevention and support, making it clear that the Government will not tolerate the behaviour of the minority causing misery and suffering to others.
Teenage Parents: Who cares? A guide to commissioning and delivering maternity services for young parents
(Published July 2008)
This revised edition of the 2004 guide explains how improving maternity services for pregnant teenagers and young fathers can help PCTs and local authorities to meet a range of targets and policy goals.
Vision for London 2008-2011: London Education on the way to world class
(Published July 2008)
London Challenge was introduced in 2002 to tackle weak, failing or underperforming secondary schools in the capital. It has helped standards in London schools to improve dramatically but more still needs to be done, so London Challenge has been extended for a further three years. This document sets out the key priorities for the next phase.
Bercow Review: final report
(Published 8 July 2008)
The final report of the independent review, led by John Bercow, of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. This report sets out the Review's findings and recommendations to Government, providing an excellent opportunity to bolster support for vulnerable children and young people.
Shakespeare for all ages and stages
(Published 7 July 2008)
This booklet suggests ways of experiencing Shakespeare for all Key Stages, and teaching approaches designed to help teachers deliver learning objectives in lively and engaging but manageable ways.
Delivering 14 to 19 reforms in rural areas
(Published 30 June 2008)
This report looks at the delivery of 14 to 19 reforms in rural areas, considering the challenges rural areas face and exploring a range of solutions already being taken forward to meet these challenges. It also provides a number of tools to support local areas in their planning.
14 to 19 curriculum offer: Transport-related issues and solutions
(Published 30 June 2008)
The Department commissioned research into issues and approaches surrounding 14 to 19 transport planning and delivery in 16 local authority areas preparing to deliver Diplomas in 2008. The findings highlight some longer term challenges to address.
Byron Review Action Plan
(Published 24 June 2008)
This cross-Government action plan sets out how the recommendations of the Byron Review will be implemented to improve children's safety when they use the internet or play video games.
Young Runaways Action Plan
(Published 16 June 2008)
The Department wants to kick-start long-term improvements to services for young runaways. The commitments in this action plan represent the ongoing work across Government to ensure that the needs of young people who run away from home or care are met.
The National Challenge – a toolkit for schools and local authorities
(Published 10 June 2008)
The National Challenge will support schools with the lowest GCSE results, so that by 2011 in every secondary school at least 30 per cent of students will achieve five or more GCSEs at A* to C including English and mathematics. The National Challenge will focus greater attention, help and resources on schools that are currently below this benchmark. A School Improvement Strategy, Promoting excellence for all, is published alongside the toolkit.
Preventing violent extremism: A strategy for delivery
(Published 3 June 2008)
This short booklet explains the Government's plans for countering violent extremism to protect the security of the UK in the long term.
Joint Birth Registration: Recording Responsibility
(Published 2 June 2008)
The Department and DWP jointly published the White Paper Joint Birth Registration: Recording Responsibility. It proposes changes to birth registration for unmarried parents to ensure that, wherever possible, both parents are named on a child's birth certificate.
Youth Alcohol Action Plan
(Published June 2008)
This joint action plan from the Department of Children, Schools and Families, Home Office and Department of Health sets out the Government's top priorities for tackling the problems caused by teenage drinking: health risks, anti-social behaviour and crime.
Back on Track: A Strategy for modernising alternative provision for young people
(Published May 2008)
This White Paper builds on the proposals in the Children's Plan, setting out a new strategy for transforming the quality of alternative provision for young people excluded from or unable to attend mainstream school.
Departmental Report 2008 (Published May 2008)
The annual report sets out the Department's acheivements in meeting its strategic objectives in 2007-08, and gives full expenditure details based on the resources allocated in the Spending Reviews.
Fair Play: A consultation on the play strategy (Published April 2008)
This consultation sets out Government's proposals on play, structured around the priorities identified by research and through consultation with parents, play experts, and children.

Publications from the Department for Children, Schools and Families

Departmental Reports

The Department produces a report every year explaining what we do, how we spend public money and what we have achieved. Details of how we are organised, our partners and people we work with; our aim and objectives.

Departmental Documents

The Department produces a number of green papers, white papers and strategy documents. If you would like to read or download our departmental information, visit the Departmental Documents.

Every Child Matters

A library of documents and key publications supporting the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme are available. Online access to guidance, research, emerging practice, case studies and tools.

Publications for Schools

Visit the publications section on TeacherNet to read or browse the latest documents sent to schools or order publications that are of interest to schools.

Information for Local Authorities

This site provides a one-stop portal for Local Authorities to get quick and easy access to publications from central government departments, agencies and public bodies.

Research Publications

This page gives you a list of research publications which you can download. You can also join a mailing list for the latest news.

Statistical Publications

The Research and Statistics Gateway gives you access to a wide set of statistical material including the most recent publications plus an overview of what is due to be published soon.

Guidance on the Law

The following documents were published between 1996 and 2001 by DfEE (Department for Education and Employment). For current guidance on the Law and related documents for schools please see Teachernet.