A year ago the much discussed Unicef Report on the state of the world’s children was published. Inevitably it was met with nationwide wringing of hands and perplexed indignation. According to Unicef, British children were among the least healthy, the least educated, the least happy and the most at risk in the developed world; many of us, rightly so, felt ashamed, worried and dispirited.

It was revealed, with what seemed like great media merriment, that: young Britons do not trust their peers, do not feel respected, and do not talk to their parents. They take too many risks with their sexual, physical and mental health.

As pointed out by ministers, and fairly so, the findings were significantly out of date. Much of the ethnographic work was undertaken five years ago. The findings did not place in context or measure the impact of policy innovations such as the 1,300 sure start centres; the considerable increases in child benefit; the 1,100 new schools; the personalised learning of 600,000 children that is benefiting some of the most disengaged and hard-to-reach young people in the UK.

The lives of our young people are better today than they were 10 years ago. If Unicef was to repeat the survey today, I believe the results would be very different. They would, however, still not make for comfortable reading. A generation is being caricatured as being too busy to make a contribution because they are mugging the elderly, truanting, failing exams, carrying knives, graffing, fighting and generally holding society to ransom. God forbid they stand on street corners in groups. This nonsensical caricature is an offensive, simplistic and fictitious representation of our children.

If, in 10 years time, when Unicef publish again the UK still fares badly it will be because the government has not had the foresight or the courage to get their hands really dirty and sort this out.

Here are four things – small and large, short-term and long – that could really help support the ambitions and hopes of our young people. Firstly, cabinet ministers, especially younger members, need to commit to countering the rhetoric of negativity constantly being spewed at our young people. If all of us spent as much time praising and highlighting the great achievements of our young people as we do condemning the vile behaviour of the very few, children may not feel so isolated. This can be done. The Labour movement has successfully shifted attitudes since it was founded. Think only of the trade union or anti-racist movements, equal pay, the minimum wage or human rights – radical cultural change is what we do.

Secondly, acknowledge (even in private) that the stick will not work. It hasn’t worked, ever. It will not work with young people and families that are so often feeling left behind and excluded. Young people are contemptuous of ASBOs, of parenting orders, of behaviour contracts.

Thirdly, bring back the extended family – a 21st century version of it. We need a nationwide mentoring and support scheme – ‘Mentor Britain PLC’ – for children, young people, families and lone adults. This will be a network of citizens, young and old, to support and sustain each other. Imagine mentoring for single mums by single mums on a deprived estate in Manchester or London.

For example, local networks of women could be trained and supported to assist each other and their children. Or a network of older people to support each other and young people, to work together to discuss and find solutions to some of their fears. Or mentors for every young person across the UK, in and outside of school, trained to look after each other’s emotional wellbeing. Mentoring would become a civic duty.

Fourthly, partner with the voluntary and private sectors to deliver this. Don’t rely on the over-burdened teacher, social worker or health worker. There are legions of skilled, voluntary sector organisations who would take great pride in helping build a new, national extended family.