ECM background
In 2003, the Government published a green paper called Every Child Matters. This was alongside its formal response to Lord Laming's report, into the death of Victoria Climbié. Victoria was a young girl who was horrifically abused and tortured, and eventually killed by her great aunt and the man with whom they lived.
The report highlighted a need for improved integration and accountability across children's services.
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. These provided a legislative spine for developing more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families.
The Children Act 2004
The Children Act 2004 secured Royal Assent on 15 November 2004. The Act is the legislative spine on which we want to build our reforms of children's services.
It establishes for England:
- A Children's Commissioner to champion the views and interests of children and young people.
- A duty on Local Authorities to make arrangements to promote co-operation between agencies and other appropriate bodies (such as voluntary and community organisations). This is in order to improve children's well-being (where well-being is defined by reference to the five outcomes), and a duty on key partners to take part in the co-operation arrangements.
- A duty on key agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- A duty on Local Authorities to set up Local Safeguarding Children Boards and on key partners to take part.
- Provision for indexes or databases containing basic information about children and young people to enable better sharing of information.
- A requirement for a single Children and Young People's Plan to be drawn up by each Local Authority.
- A requirement on Local Authorities to appoint a Director of Children's Services and designate a Lead Member.
- The creation of an integrated inspection framework and the conduct of Joint Area Reviews. This is to assess local areas' progress in improving outcomes.
- Provisions relating to foster care, private fostering and the education of children in care.