Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Strategic Director People.

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director People on the progress in the implementation of Care Matters.

The Care Matters White Paper, issued in 2007, set out an ambitious programme of change to improve the outcomes of children in care. Care Matters set out a vision to ensure that in the future, children in care would have the same opportunities in life as their peers – a good education, good health care, and consistent support, advice and practical help to give them strong foundations on which they can build happy and successful lives. Improving the lives of children in care must involve all local partners and professionals including local authorities, Primary Care Trusts, foster carers, residential care workers, social workers, GPs and other health care practitioners and teachers.

In 2008, the Government had published ‘Care Matters – Time to Deliver for Children in Care’ and an implementation plan. This plan marked a new phase in the Care Matters programme – a shift from developing policy nationally to delivering change locally. It aims to support local Children’s Trusts, led by Lead Members and Directors of Children’s Services, to transform outcomes for children and young people in care.

The Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) had agreed to review progress annually and in November 2009, the Minister had published an annual stock take. His report set out what the DCSF had achieved for children in care through the Care Matters programme of reform, and the plans for 2010.

The Minister in his letter to local authorities listed questions that Councillors should ask of their authority.  This contained a response to those questions and set out what had been achieved so far in Cheshire East.

RESOLVED –That the progress made on the implementation of care matters be noted.