Every Child Matters -
What's it all
about?
In 2003, the Government published a green paper called Every Child Matters. This was published 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 built on existing plans to strengthen preventative services by focusing on four key themes:
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Increasing the focus on supporting families and carers - the most critical influence on children's lives
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Ensuring necessary intervention takes place before children reach crisis point and protecting children from falling through the net
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Addressing the underlying problems identified in the report into the death of Victoria Climbié - weak accountability and poor integration
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Ensuring that the people working with children are valued, rewarded and trained
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. Every Child Matters identified the five outcomes that are
most important to children and young people:
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Be healthy
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Stay safe
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Enjoy and achieve
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Make a positive contribution
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Achieve economic well-being
The five outcomes are universal ambitions for every
child and young person, whatever their background or circumstances.
Improving outcomes for all children and young people underpins all of
the development and work within children's trusts.
For more information contact:
Veronica Hyde at T3SC
Tameside Community
Union main page