NAFWC35/06 - Stronger Partnerships for Better Outcomes

SUMMARY

This circular contains statutory guidance under sections 25(8), 26(5), and 27(4) of the Children Act 2004. These provisions place a duty of local co-operat on on local author ties in Wales and a range of partners to improve the well being of children and young people in each local authority area. They require local author ties to appoint a lead director and to designate a lead member for children and young people.

They require a Local Health Board to dentify an executive director and designated non-off cer Board Member, and an NHS Trust to designate a lead executive and a non-executive Director, to take overall responsibility for their respective arrangements for co-operat on n the partnership planning process.

Section1 sets out Welsh Assembly Government policy in the context of the UN Convent on on the Rights of the Child and describes the statutory provisions.

Section 2 sets out the principles underly ng co-operat on.

Section 3 deals with improvement in the effectiveness of partnership working.

Sections 4 to 8 give guidance on joint commissioning of services, common assessment and information sharing, setting common outcome measures and information on Local Safeguarding Children Boards.

Sect on 9 deals with the appointment of lead individuals in local authorities, NHS bodies and other partner organisations.

The new duties come into force on 1 September 2006 and this guidance applies from that date also.