PAPER B

POLICY COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN AND SCHOOL RESULTS - 7 JUNE 2006

CHILDREN’S TRUST GOVERNANCE

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES

SUMMARY / PURPOSE

1. This report presents a further draft of the terms of reference for the governance and management of the Children’s Trust arrangements on the Isle of Wight for the Commission’s consideration.

BACKGROUND

2. At its meeting in April, the Commission discussed a paper on the governance of the Island’s Children’s Trust arrangements. At the end of that discussion, it was envisaged that a draft Blue Paper would be brought back to the Board for approval. However, our health agency partners have asked if they can have additional time and opportunity to comment on the draft terms of reference and there has also been substantial revision as a result of legal advice and opinion. Consequently, a further draft is being brought back to the Commission, before the finalisation of a Blue Paper.

3. It is assumed that the Isle of Wight will formalise its Children’s Trust arrangements to coincide with the Big Day Out in October 2006.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

4. The Children Act 2004 establishes an expectation that the different agencies involved in providing services to children and young people will come together into a formal partnership by April 2008. This partnership should be sufficiently robust to manage a shared Children and Young People’s Plan and to commission services jointly so that services to children and young people are joined up in good multi-agency practice which delivers high quality outcomes.

5. The development of Children’s Trust arrangements needs to take account of parallel developments in the integration of adult care and health services; and in Island governance through the Isle of Wight Partnership and its Public Service Board.

REPORT

6. The main changes to the terms of reference have been to make it clearer that the

Children’s Trust arrangements are not to be confused with the establishment of a formal legal trust, but are the fomalisation of a partnership.

FINANCIAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

7. The Children’s Trust arrangements are governed by the Children Act 2004. They

constitute the formalisation of relationships between the different agencies delivering services to children and young people on the Island but fall short of the establishment of a Trust as a legal entity.

8. There are costs to the establishment of any partnership. These costs are hidden in

the day-to-day work programmes of the partners. There are specific posts associated with the Children’s Trust arrangements which are funded in partners’ current budgets.

Appendix 1: draft Terms of Reference for the Governance of the Children’s Trust arrangements.

Appendix 2: Local Safeguarding Board Terms of Reference

IAN SANDBROOK

Strategic Director for Children’s Services