WAGC31/07 - Shared Planning for Better Outcomes

Summary

This circular contains statutory guidance under section 26 of the Children Act 2004, which requires local authorities in Wales to prepare and publish a plan setting out the authority’s strategy for discharging their functions in relation to children and relevant young people.

The Children and Young People’s Plan (Wales) Regulations 2007 (copied at annex 3) relate to this guidance and come into force on 1 September 2007. This guidance also applies from this date.

Section 26 requires local authorities to have regard to this guidance in discharging their functions under the regulations. This guidance is supported by and should be read in conjunction with Stronger Partnerships for Better Outcomes Circular 35/2006 (July 2006), setting out local duties to co-operate among a range of partners to
improve the well being of children and young people in each local authority area.

Section 1 sets out the foundations of the Plan in the context of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the principles on which it is based, its purpose and relationship to other plans.

Section 2 sets out in detail the phases for developing the Plan.

Sections 4 to 10 describe the structure of the Plan in relation to the 7 Core Aims and the narrative required in relation to each core Aim, including templates that supplement the narrative by summarising outcome measures and targets.

Section 11 sets out how workforce issues will be addressed in the Plan.