Following the tragic death of Victoria Climbié the subsequent inquiry exposed failings in existing services’ ability to protect the most vulnerable children. This led to the Government White Paper Every Child Matters, Next Steps and the Children Bill.

The recommendations focused on the delivery of services for children, young people and families building on existing measures to ensure that we protect children at risk of harm and neglect from negative outcomes and that we support all children to develop their full potential.

The five outcomes which consultation showed mattered most to children and young people are:

• Being healthy: enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle
• Staying safe: being protected from harm and neglect
• Enjoying and achieving: getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood
• Making a positive contribution: being involved with the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour
• Economic well-being: not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life.

Challenges for local authorities

• Poor coordination
• A failure to share information
• The absence of anyone with a strong sense of accountability
• Workers trying to cope with staff vacancies
• Poor management
• Lack of effective training.

Solutions:

• Multi agency case planning
• Risk assessment
• Behaviour management
• ICT training
• Interim management
• PEP development
• Attachment
• Creating inclusive cultures
• Community partnership development

If you would like to discuss Every Child Matters issues further please contact jacqui@cocentra.com

Alternatively, please call 0845 009 4010 and ask to talk to Jacqui, or order a Cocentra brochure.