Every Child Matters: Change for Children |
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Every Child Matters (ECM) is a new, overarching government approach to the wellbeing of children and young people from birth to age 19. This page summarises the main points of the ECM agenda, with particular emphasis on developments affecting schools. For full information, latest news and key documents visit the Every Child Matters website.
Background
Since the launch of the Green Paper Every Child Matters in
September 2003, there has been wide-ranging public debate about how to deliver
improved care and services for children, young people and families. Following a
consultation between September and December 2003, the Government published
Every Child Matters: Next Steps and passed the Children Act 2004.
In November 2004, Every Child Matters: Change for Children was released, setting out the national framework for local change programmes led by local authorities and their partners. In November 2005, the Childcare Bill was introduced to Parliament.
Aims and outcomes
The Government's vision is to create a joined-up system of health,
family support, childcare and education services so that all children get the
best start possible. Through the range of measures brought in under the Every
Child Matters: Change for Children programme, organisations providing services
to children, such as schools, hospitals and the police, will be enabled to work
together and share information, so that all children, and especially those from
vulnerable groups, have the support they need to:
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Be healthy
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Stay safe
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Enjoy and achieve
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Make a positive contribution
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Achieve economic well-being
Children's trusts
No single agency can deliver any one of these five outcomes on its
own. Therefore, it is planned that local authorities and their partners will
work together through children's trusts, bringing together all services
for children in that area. There will be more integrated processes through the
new Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and joint planning and commissioning to reduce duplication
and improve referral between agencies.
Most areas should have a children's trust by 2006, with all areas expected to have one by 2008.
New Relationship with Schools
The New Relationship with Schools (NRwS) supports schools as
they implement the ECM agenda. It is helping to raise standards, introduce
priorities, reduce bureaucracy and increase information for parents. The NRwS
will incorporate changes including:
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Schools' self-evaluation which is to become common practice in all schools
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Simplifying the approach to school improvement
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A new-style comunications model based on involvement and participation
Sure Start
Sure Start
children's centres provide early education integrated with health and
family support services. This network is being expanded and by 2010, there will
be 3,500 centres across the country.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Removing Barriers to Achievement sets out the strategy
for raising standards of support for children with SEN. There will be new
emphasis on early identification and effective support for children with
additional needs, as well as better integration of services around children and
young people.
Extended schools
Restructuring and co-locating the services of extended schools will help to improve outcomes for
children and young people. By 2010, all primary schools will offer childcare
provision between 8a.m. and 6p.m. all year round, either on-site or in
partnership with other schools and local providers. A third of all secondary
schools will provide pre-school, after-school and holiday activities by 2008,
and they will all be part of a network of provision by 2010.
The Children's Fund
The Children's Fund was launched in November 2000 to
identify at an early stage children and young people at risk of social
exclusion, and ensure they receive the help and support they need. It has three
basic principles:
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Prevention: providing increased and better coordinated preventative services for 5-13-year-olds and their families
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Partnership: involving partners and ensuring that the views of children and young people are represented
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Participation: involving children and young people in the design, operation and evaluation of the programme
For 2005-08, the DfES has allocated £411.5m to the Children's Fund, and partnerships are required to produce a three-year strategic plan on their funding, including what they hope the programme will have achieved by 2008.
Children's Commissioner for England
In March 2005, Professor Al Aynsley-Green became England's first
Children's Commissioner. He will ensure that the views
and interests of children and young people are heard and acted upon at a
national level.
Last updated: 10 July 2007
