The Children Act 2004 defines a Children's Trust as "an arrangement bringing together strategic planning, joint commissioning, integrated processes and integrated delivery of services for children and young people." The Children's Trust will be required to establish effective partnerships to promote the well-being of children and young people, to strengthen safeguarding arrangements through the development of Local Safeguarding Children Boards, to develop effective information sharing arrangements and establish new roles for a Director of Children's Services and a Lead Elected Member.
The role of Children's Trust is to address the following key objectives:
- develop a vision for all children and young people in Stockton-on-Tees;
- promote and plan integrated commissioning and ensure high quality services;
- develop a Children & Young People's Plan;
- co-ordinate work across the 5 Outcome areas to maximise integration;
- develop and oversee the Annual Performance Assessment of children's services and the preparation for the Joint Area Review
