The Government has published draft guidance on what should be included in the local authority plans that will govern how all children and young people's services are delivered.

From April 2006, local children and young people's plans will replace a range of statutory and non-statutory initiatives, including the youth service plan and the teenage pregnancy strategy.

The plans, which are out for consultation with the youth sector, will cover the delivery of all services, including health, education, advice and guidance for 14- to 19-year-olds, and some aspects of youth offending.

Youth offending teams will continue to make their own arrangements, but they will have to ensure that they are in line with the local authority's children and young people's plan.

Barbara Hearn, director of policy at the National Children's Bureau, said smaller services, such as youth services, would have nothing to fear providing the plan remained a high-level document. "We want it to be about the way young people live their lives," she added.

The draft guidance states that authorities must consult all the partners when drawing up plans, and must ensure that there is "genuine participation" from young people.

The consultation on the plans is open until 6 June.

www.dfes.gov.uk.