Every Child Matters
In 2003, the Government published a green paper called Every Child Matters alongside the formal response to the report into the death of Victoria Climbié, the young girl who was horrifically abused and tortured, and eventually killed by her great aunt and the man with whom they lived.
The green paper prompted an unprecedented debate about services for children, young people and families. There was a wide consultation with people working in children's services, and with parents, children and young people.
The green paper prompted an unprecedented debate about services for children, young people and families. There was a wide consultation with people working in children's services, and with parents, children and young people.
Following the consultation, the Government published Every Child Matters: the Next Steps, and passed the Children Act 2004, providing the legislative spine for developing more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families.
Every Child Matters: Change for Children was published in November 2004, and is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:
- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve
- Make a positive contribution
- Achieve economic well-being
This means that the organisations involved with providing services to children - from hospitals and schools, to police and voluntary groups - will be teaming up in new ways, sharing information and working together to protect children and young people from harm and to help them achieve what they want in life. Children and young people will have far more say about issues that affect them as individuals and collectively.
Sheffield City Council and the Children and Young People's 0-19+ Partnership Board have produced the Sheffield Children and Young People's Plan 2006-09, which addresses the 5 desired outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda in Sheffield.
Please visit our Useful Links for Every Child Matters page for further information on some of the ways in which Sheffield is addressing the 5 outcomes listed above.
Please Contact the Governor Support Team if you need any further assistance.
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