I’ve always been a dreamer and I’m unapologetic about this; the optimism within these dreams nourishes me. It pushes me to look for creative solutions to multi-faceted and often complex problems which, I hope, is with a pinch of pragmatic realism. I am Jewish which also calls me to embrace L’dor V’dor: from generation to generation, learning from the past to create a resilient future as we are temporary characters in the story of life.

This weekend marks Windrush Day. At first, it saddened me to think about it; I very recently lost my nan, and then a short time later, my granddad who couldn’t bear to go on without her. Both my grandparents were from the Windrush generation, and the realisation that this part of our history will soon no longer be here, is a painful one. It’s impossible to talk about Windrush without discussing the impact it had on Black families and the complexity of slavery and colonialism. The latter made the formation of close Black family relationships difficult, negating the ability to have a stable, secure family life.

Windrush was a reset moment. It meant that families and family relationships had to start again, often whilst parents and support networks remained in the Caribbean, and in the UK where racial inequity was baked into structures and systems. The practice of imagination and collective activism made dreams of different futures possible all the time. For example, when banks would discriminate against lending to them, they set up their own money club called ‘Pardner’, where groups of people paid into a common fund over several weeks or months. At regular intervals, one person would receive the full pot. This collective activism created a collective impact by helping them to save to buy homes and put down roots. Central to this was love, care and community which is where unimaginable futures stem from.

Our children, young people and their families deserve a strong national network of local, regional and national leaders who collaborate and invest in how all children can start well, develop well and progress to adulthood well. The Standards, Performance & Inspection Committee recognises that now more than ever, collective impact and shared outcomes need to be front and centre so that we can continue to be a champion and advocate for every child and their interests. Accountability can be a catalyst for change, equity and excellence; and strategic commissioners of aligned, joint or integrated solutions.

To truly honour the Windrush generation, it is essential to continue striving for a more inclusive and equitable society. This requires us to be bold. Our children and young people are the next generation of leaders and families. These are no longer wild or unobtainable dreams. We are evidence of that, we can realise in real terms what can be achieved if, like the Windrush generation, we become collective demonstrators of positivity, fortitude and innovators of our passionate ideals and so that different futures are our consistent reality. Imagine that.