Children and Young People

In response to the Victoria Climbié tragedy, the Government produced its proposals for reshaping children's services in September 2003. "Every Child Matters: Change for Children" and the Children Act 2004, together, place significant duties on County level authorities to reform children's services so that they meet the following five key outcomes:-

• Be Healthy
• Stay Safe
• Enjoy and Achieve
• Make a Positive Contribution
• Achieve Economic Wellbeing

The legislation and guidance also place a statutory duty to co-operate on District Councils. This means that, where we work with children and young people or where our services contribute to their wellbeing, we have to work collaboratively with the County Council and a range of other partner agencies that are also involved or have lead responsibility for a service.

Many City Council services have an impact on children and young people's lives including housing, homelessness reduction and prevention, community safety, cultural, sport and leisure services, play provision, planning, environmental health, licensing, and benefits.

The legislation means that we need to consider how these services can contribute to the five outcomes listed above and how, by working with partners on the Winchester District Children & Young People 0 - 19 Partnership and the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), we can make them more coordinated and effective.

We also have to comply with legislation relating to child protection and safeguarding, and we have to consider the views of children and young people to help develop and shape services.