25 April 2008
The success of the government's curriculum reforms for 14—19 year olds could be jeopardised unless Whitehall departments make their individual lines of responsibility clear, MPs have warned.
Responsibility for education policy was split between the new departments for Children, Schools and Families and Innovation, Universities and Skills in last year's Whitehall restructure.
But the children, schools and families select committee this week raised concerns that neither department appeared to have the lead role for 14—19 education, specifically the roll-out of vocational diplomas.
The committee's April 24 report states: 'Given the importance of 14—19 diplomas, clarity over who is responsible is vital. We ask the DCSF to set out each department's specific responsibilities towards diplomas.'
The committee also welcomed the DCSF's new emphasis on children's services but said this demanded an unprecedented amount of joint working with other departments.
Chair Barry Sheerman revealed that the committee itself would take a more cross-departmental approach to its inquiries in future.
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