ANALYSIS: Joined-Up Agencies - Better communication is vital

If anyone doubted the need for closer links between agencies dealing with children and young people, the latest report into Victoria Climbie's death was yet another wake-up call. Just a week before the Laming report, the Government's Children and Young People's Unit (CYPU) announced major funding for initiatives to encourage better communication among agencies.

"We want to try and prevent children falling through the net," says a CYPU spokeswoman. While the CYPU project was not sparked by the Climbie case, the Laming report's detailing of poor communication and cooperation among agencies only serves to highlight the need for closer working.

Four areas involving partnerships between two or more local authorities have been awarded 1 million each to look at ways of improving communication between agencies such as social services, education, health and voluntary organisations. It is the second funding award, coming on the heels of a pilot last summer involving six local authorities, and stems from the Government's cross-cutting review of children at risk.