News
Changes in education and children’s services affect council responsibilities
8 Dec 2010
Within wider, ongoing government reform, the role that councils play in education and children’s services is changing.
The detail is still to be defined, but will follow the trend of moving away from statutory targets to enable more local control, with more emphasis on commissioning.
Local authorities will still be required to appoint Lead Members and Directors of Children’s Services, although the statutory guidance surrounding the roles may be reviewed.
Children’s Trusts and Children and Young People plans are no longer statutory. Local area agreements and the requirement to monitor against performance targets have also been scrapped.
Matt Dunkley, vice president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ACDS) says:
The changes to Children’s Trusts mean local areas will agree local arrangements. In my locality, our Children’s Trust will continue. Given that we have fewer resources, it’s efficient for us to work together.
Speeches at the recent ACDS conference suggest authorities will remain champions for the most vulnerable and the key body to broker partnerships and monitor school improvement.
(Children and Young People Now, 16-22 November 2010)
