Audit Commission National Report on Children's Trusts

The report presents findings of research into the progress local councils and their partners are making in developing children's trusts. 

The aims of the research were to consider:
• The governance and accountability arrangements for children's trusts;
• The way resources are being used by children's trusts; and
• How children's trusts relate to Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP) and Local
   Area Agreements (LAA).

The findings in the report are based on surveys of people involved in children's trusts:
• Interview in eight areas with a range of stakeholders;
• Insights from Joint Area Reviews; a review of government policy;
• Academic and practical advice aimed at practitioners; and
• The Audit Commission's previous work on partnership working and corporate
   governance.

Fieldwork for this report took place between November 2007 and February 2008.  Staffordshire Children's Trust was one of the eight children's trusts contributing to the fieldwork studies that were featured in the report. Despite the report stating it is too early to say if children's trusts have the right arrangements; Staffordshire is cited as having local children's trust arrangements that reflect the needs of a two-tier authority area and that we are continuously reviewing these arrangements to ensure they are fit for purpose. The Audit Commission also allude to Staffordshire Children's Trust as good practice in relation to involving and consulting children and young people.

In addition to the Audit Commission's Report, Children's Trusts now have updated guidance published on Wednesday 18th November, 2008.