The framework, which is designed to create a shared partnership between central and local government and the voluntary and community services sector, follows the passing of the Children Act 2004. It gives local authorities a lead role in bringing local partners together in Children's Trusts.
Unveiling the programme 'Every Child Matters: Change for Children', children's minister Margaret Hodge said, 'We want to build services around the needs of children and young people and shift to an approach that focuses on prevention, rather than simply addressing the damaging effects when things go wrong.'
She said the programme would aim to improve five key outcomes identified as important by children themselves: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic wellbeing.
Ten regional change advisers have been appointed jointly by the DfES and the Department of Health to support local areas in planning and implementing their local change programmes.
Prevention will involve a common assessment framework to identify accurately and quickly the additional needs of children and a national database so concerns can be flagged up for other practitioners.
The planning and commissioning of services will be assisted by a children and young people's plan which will replace a number of existing statutory plans. Within the framework of the Children's Trusts, the DfES said there will be greater scope for the pooling of budgets and the joint purchase or provision of services.
Proposals for the radical shake-up in the way services are designed are contained in two documents: Every Child Matters: Change for Children and Working with Voluntary and Community Organisations to Deliver Change for Children and Young People. The DfES has also launched a website at www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
The Government has pledged 22.5m in 2006/07 and 63m in 2007/2008 to help local authorities implement their own change for children programmes. It is also providing 15m in 2006/ 2007 and 30m in 2007/2008 for the development of the children's workforce. A further 3m will support voluntary and community organisations to engage in the change process.
