Open schools seven days a week and have police officers as security, children’s commissioner says The six-pledge manifesto urges the Government to take decisive action to improve the lives of children and keep them safe

The children‘s commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, says schools should stay open seven days a week throughout the year and have designated police officers to protect them from gang violence.

In a six-point “children’s manifesto” for schools, Ms Longfield suggested opening schools in the evenings and on weekends to help prevent children being “easy pickings” for troublemakers.

She added that the provision of activities like drama, sport, or arts would be beneficial for young people and their families.

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Her manifesto claims security in schools and neighbourhoods should be a Government priority, and schools should have police officers attached to them.

The fabric of a child’s society no longer exists

“I’ve heard more political conversation about HS2, water nationalisation and tax cuts – and, of course, Brexit – than about children” Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England

Ms Longfield wrote that children are “routinely frightened” in today’s world. She said: “They tell me about being chased in the streets, videoed by strangers, frightened to walk to school, avoiding being out after dark.

“Many of the people and places that used to be available to kids in the past, the fabric of a child’s society – from someone to greet you when you got home from school, to welcoming parks and clubs – no longer exist. We must fix this.”

The six pledges in her manifesto include reforms to keep children active – to tackle childhood obesity – and safe on the streets, and increasing youngsters’ involvement in civic and social activities as an alternative to mobile phone use.

Gangs increasingly groom younger children

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According to the manifesto, “gangs operate openly in streets and parks, and groom increasingly younger children “. Children attending part-time school – such as pupil referral units – and those who are not getting on at home, or who are disengaged and marginalised, are most at risk.

However, the manifesto says: “Any child may find themselves at a loose end after school: the school day has not kept up with changes in family working patterns which see children returning home to empty houses.”

If schools were open in evenings, weekends and throughout school holidays to provide a range of activities it would increase access to subjects being “squeezed” out of the academic curriculum.

“It would help parents with childcare and be good for children’s mental health and social skills,” the manifesto says.

Ms Longfield’s six pledges are:

Extend and expand the Troubled Families Programme.

A child and adolescent mental health service counsellor in every school.

Adequate funding for special educational needs and disabilities.

Schools open at evenings, weekends and holidays.

Police officers and youth workers in schools.

A Cabinet committee for children.

Society should be ashamed that children are so unhappy with their lives

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Ms Longfield warned MPs to reconsider their priorities, saying: “I’ve heard more political conversation about HS2, water nationalisation and tax cuts – and, of course, Brexit – than about children.

“The building blocks of a good childhood haven’t changed – secure relationships, a decent home and inspiring schools.”

She said society should be “ashamed” that “literally millions of kids in England not having the childhood a decent society would want”.

A report released at the end of last month revealed a quarter of a million children in the UK are unhappy with their lives; Ms Longfield stressed a million children need mental health support, more than 120,000 are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, over 50,000 are not being educated and almost 30,000 are in violent gangs.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “We are making record investments in education and in children’s services to help improve outcomes and support young people to overcome the challenges they face.

“This includes action across Government on children’s mental health, making sure excluded pupils receive a good education, tackling the root causes of violent crime, supporting parents with early learning at home, and providing tailored support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.”