Children's Trusts: Statutory guidance on inter-agency cooperation to improve well-being of children, young people and their families

This guidance, issued under section 10 of the Children Act 2004 and to which all local authorities and “relevant partners” must have regard, replaces: ‘Statutory guidance on inter-agency cooperation to improve wellbeing of children: children’s trusts’ (ref: DFES-1680-2005) and the consultation document: ‘Children’s Trusts: statutory guidance on inter-agency cooperation to improve well-being of children, young people and their families’, published in April 2008.

It reflects the lessons learned since the publication of Every Child Matters, progress in the implementation of the vision ECM contained and the development of new policies and programmes to support the drive for better outcomes for young people.

In particular, it stresses the importance of robust and effective arrangements under the section 10 ‘duty to cooperate’ in implementing the vision of The Children’s Plan: Building Brighter Futures.

More information about Children's Trusts