Every Child Matters and The Children Act

The Government published the Green Paper Every Child Matters: Change for Children in 2002, which became enshrined in the Children Act 2004.  It brought in a number of changes for services to children, young people and their families.  It introduced the following:

• The Every Child Matters Outcomes Framework, which required services to show how they made a difference to children and young people's lives in respect of the 5 outcomes:  Be Healthy, Stay Safe, Enjoy and Achieve, Make a Positve Contribution and Achieve Economic Well Being.  Children and young people were consulted about the outcomes that most mattered to them and these were the ones they chose.

• The appointment of a Children's Commissioner.

• The creation of the new post of Director of Children's Services (DCS) in Local Authorities; bringing together education and children's social services into one Children's Services Department.

• A new Elected Member for Children and Young People's Services.

• Children's Trusts, bringing together partners from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors to deliver the new agenda, under the leadership of the new Children's Directors.

• A duty on services to co-operate and to work in partnership.

• A single statutory Children and Young People's Plan.

• The setting up of Local Safeguarding Children's Boards.

• The provision for indexes or databases to enable better sharing of information.

• Joint Inspection Framework/Joint Area Reviews.

Services are now required to work together in a more integrated way and to be responsive to the needs of the child or young person, with an emphasis on support to parents and carers.  There is a drive towards prevention through early identification and intervention, using a Lead Professional Model where necessary to co-ordinate the services needed to support the best outcomes for the child or young person.  A Common Assessment Framework will help to identify the needs of the child/young person and will also help to develop a common language between professionals.  Children, young people, their parents and carers should have the opportunity to participate in the design and delivery of services - this could be at a personal level by having a voice in their individual plans or at a strategic planning level by having the opportunity to influence the priorities for their local area.  It is anticipated that there will be a move to co-locate services, based in local communities to improve accessibility.  It may not be possible for some specialist services to be dispersed in neighbourhoods in this way, but all services should be working closely with each other to ensure each can be accessed through the other.

In order to improve this closer collaboration between professionals there is a requirement to invest in workforce development through such opportunities as joint training.

For more information on Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004, visit the Every Child Matters website www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

The Every Child Matters Outcomes Framework

Services are now required to show how they are making a positive difference to children's lives, particularly those who are most vulnerable.  Under each of the five Every Child Matters Outcome Themes are five national aims.  Each Local Authority area needs to show the progress they are making under each of the aims that underpin each of the five outcomes.  The outcomes and their associated aims are as follows:

• Children and young people are physically healthy.

• Children and young people are mentally and emotionally healthy.
• Children and young people are sexually healthy.
• Children and young people live healthy lifestyles.
• Children and young people choose not to take illegal drugs.

• Children and Young People are safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation.

• Children and young people are safe from accidental injury and death.
• Children and young people are safe from bullying and discrimination.
• Children and young people are safe from crime and anti-social behaviour in and out of school.
• Children and young people have security, stability and are cared for.

• Children and young people are ready for school.
• Children and young people attend and enjoy school.
• Children and young people achieve stretching national educational standard at primary school.
• Children and young people achieve personal and social development and enjoy recreation.
• Children and young people achieve stretching national educational standard at secondary school.

 

• Children and young people engage in law-abiding and positive behaviour in and out of school.
• Children and young people develop positivbe relationships and choose not to bully or discriminate.
• Children and young people develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges.
• Children and young people develop enterprising behaviour.

• Children and young people engage in further education, employment or training on leaving school.
• Children and young people are ready for employment.
• Children and young people live in decent homes and sustainable communities.
• Children and young people have access to transport and material goods.
• Children and young people live in households free from low incomes.