Children's Trust
What are Children’s Trusts?
Children’s trusts were established through the 2004 Children’s Act to bring together organisations that work with children. By 2008, all areas in England were supposed to have a children’s trust in place.
Are children’s trusts the same?
There are similarities. All trusts must have a board to oversee their operations, but there is scope to tailor their structure to fit the local area. For example, those in more rural areas can involve distinct local groups within the trust. In small urban areas, such groups may not be necessary.
What does the children’s trust do?
An important duty of trusts is to develop the children and young people’s plan, which outlines the priorities for all partners in improving outcomes for children and young people. Priorities will be distinct to each local area. While the trust prepares the plan, it is up to the partners to deliver it. Many trusts have pooled their resources and jointly commissioned services.
Who is part of the trust?
The top-tier local authority is required to set up and maintain the partnership. There are a number of statutory partners, including primary care trusts, the police and schools, which are required to be involved. The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children & Learning Act 2009 updated the list of partners to include maintained schools, non-maintained schools, academies, further education colleges and pupil referral units.
Are voluntary organisations included in children’s trust?
Often, local charities that provide services for children & families are included as partners, but it is left up to each area to decide the level of input from such non-statutory groups.
Key messages from the latest Children's Trust Board - June 2010
- This was the first meeting of the statutory CTB which included wider agency/partner and young people representatives
- Excellent contributions from young people representative – thank you
- Positive developments regarding communications and further consideration will be given about the most appropriate methods of communication for different audiences (including younger children 0 to 5 and primary)
- CYPP was agreed in principle and agreement reached regarding the mechanism for making it happen
- Plain English and fewer acronyms!
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