Issue - meetings

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, on the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-14.

RESOLVED: That Council endorse and adopt the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-14.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, on the adoption of the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2011-14.

            The Board was advised that the CYPP was the agreed joint strategy of the partners in the Children’s Trust, detailing how they would co-operate to improve children’s wellbeing. The Plan represented Halton’s local vision and aspirations for children and young people in the Borough, provided strategic direction and determine how the Children’s Trust Board would work together to commission services to address locally identified needs and better integrate provision.

            In July 2010, the Coalition Government announced its intention to reform Children’s Trusts. The proposals came into force on 31 October 2010 and the report detailed the changes. The reforms removed the requirement to produce a CYPP.  However, with agreement to continue the Children’s Trust arrangements, came the need for a CYPP to provide strategic direction.

            The Board was further advised that, following a Children’s Trust Development Day in December 2010, work began on a new CYPP, and following further consultation, the new priorities for the Children’s Trust had been agreed as:-

• Improve outcomes for children and young people through embedding integrated processes to deliver early help and support;

• Improve outcomes for children and young people through effective joint commissioning; and

• Improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children and young people by targeting services effectively.

Reason(s) For Decision

An Equality Impact Assessment undertaken on the document showed that there were no negative impacts on any individuals and groups within Halton as a result of the Plan.  The Children & Young People’s Plan facilitates positive action for children and young people overall in Halton and for particular groups of children and young people as appropriate.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

This CYPP had been developed to replace the previous Plan that expired on March 31^st 2011 and took into account the agreed new priorities for the Children’s Trust for the next three years.  The CYPP was also aligned with the new Sustainable Community Strategy 2011-26.

Implementation Date

Not applicable.

            RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to endorse and adopt the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-14.