Briefing: Crib sheet - The Children and Young People's Plan consultation

- Not another children's plan? The latest bits of the Every Child Matters/Children Act 2004 puzzle are the draft guidance and regulations on the new, strategic, overarching Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP) as they will apply in England.

The master plan? It's supposed to replace a number of existing plans including the Behaviour Support Plan, Children's Services Plan, Early Years Development and Childcare Plan, Education Development Plan, Area Child Protection Committee Business Plan, Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, and Youth Service Plan.

Well, that's a move I can support. Plan rationalisation is a good thing then. The CYPP is a statutory requirement linked to the duty to co-operate in the Children Act 2004. In other words, this is the planning tool for the local children's trust, and the first plan should be in place by 1 April 2006. It must cover services for children and young people from birth to 19 in the local area, as well as those over 19 who are care leavers or have learning difficulties. Unless, of course, the plan is referring to youth justice services, in which case the cut-off age is 17.