Briefing: Crib sheet - Child-centred NHS services

Right, what exactly is a child-centred service in the health sector? You might want to look at Standard Three of the National Service Framework, which relates to child, young person and family-centred services.

Which says? "Children, young people and families receive high-quality services which are co-ordinated around their individual and family needs and take account of their views." It fits a vision that sees professionals communicating directly with children and young people and attempting to see the world through their eyes.

That's going to be challenging. What, humanising the NHS? This standard is about providing a service to the whole child, and that sense of "wholeness" draws in the child's family, school, friends and community. It includes a list of pointers explaining what "child-centred" can mean in practice: active involvement in decision-making; access to appropriate information; adherence to clear policies on confidentiality and consent; participation in local planning and commissioning of services; a named lead officer for children and young people within each organisation; and staff training in communicating with children, young people and their families.