A children's commissioner for
England, increased local political responsibility and better coordination of
services are just some of the measures proposed in the green paper - Every
Child Matters
David Batty
Monday September 8, 2003
SocietyGuardian.co.uk
· An independent commissioner to protect the rights
and wellbeing of all children in England
· Every child entitled to expect these outcomes: staying safe; being
healthy; experiencing enjoyment and achievement at school; making a positive
contribution to society; economic wellbeing
· By 2006 councils will be expected to establish children's trusts,
bringing together health, education and social services, as well as the careers
service Connexions.
· Each council must appoint a children's director with the statutory
responsibilities of the chief education officer and the social services
director.
· A councillor should be appointed to take political responsibility for
children's services.
· Area child protection committees, which coordinate agencies involved
in protecting children, replaced by new statutory bodies known as local
children's safeguarding boards
· Local authorities to develop IT systems to better share information
about children with other agencies; all children given a unique ID number. But
no national database of children at risk
· Common training and protocols for childcare professionals to prevent
confusion about their responsibilities
· All children's cases to be assigned to a named key worker who holds
responsibility for coordinating their care needs
· Teachers, social workers and specialist education and health staff
brought together in multi-agency teams based in schools and community-based
children's centres
· More family support services, including parenting classes and a
national parents' helpline
· A new workforce strategy for all childcare workers to encourage
recruitment and retention; covering pay, conditions and standards of practice