Support and Statutory Guidance for Children's Trusts

The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes* (C4EO) was launched in July; the Commissioning Support Programme will be available from early next year.  The Department of Health is writing in parallel to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) about this package of support. 
 
The letter also refers to the revised guidance for Children's Trusts, and a piece of consultation on the roles of Lead Member and DCSs in Children's Trusts. The link to the consultation can be found on the DCSF website.

Now the updated national Children's Trust guidance  and the recommendations of the recent Audit Commission Report: 'Are we there yet? Improving governance and resource management in Children's Trusts'  have been issued, Georgina Davies, the Staffordshire Children's Trust Manager, will be putting together a draft action plan for the Staffordshire Children's Trust to ensure they meet any new requirements. This action plan will be taken to the Children's Trust Board, in January for their approval and shared publicly in due course.

In addition to the updated guidance the DCSF have created a short leaflet 'What is a Children's Trust?'   The leaflet gives clear information about what a Children's Trust is, what it does, what challenges Children's Trusts face and future plans for Trusts.  All staff are encouraged to share this information with colleagues within their organisations at every level.

Finally it can be confirmed that central government still plan to propose legislative changes to strengthen Children's Trust. These proposals include:
 
• extending the number of relevant partners under the duty to co-operate to
   include schools, sixth form and FE colleges, and Job Centre Plus;
• making the Children's Trust Board a statutory body;
• giving the Board responsibility for producing the Children and Young People's
   Plan, which means it will be developed and "owned" by the full Children's
   Trust partnership (something we are already working towards in
   Staffordshire).
 
Currently there are no dates for decisions on these legislative proposals, but once released they will be included on this website.
 
For more information, please contact:
Georgina Davies
Staffordshire Children's Trust Manager

Email: staffordshirechildrenstrust@staffordshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01785 277 116
Postal Address:
c/o Wedgwood Building
Tipping Street,
Stafford,
ST16 2DH

*Staffordshire Children's Trust takes no responsibilty for the content of external websites linked from this page.