CYP Now - Children's services: Government will force schools to embrace partnership agenda

The Government has promised tough new guidance to ensure schools work with social services, as an exclusive Children Now survey revealed overwhelming concern among councils that some schools were hampering the partnership agenda.

Of England's social services directors, 97 per cent called for the Children Bill to be amended to place a duty on school governors to promote the educational achievement of looked-after children.

The Department for Education and Skills says guidance will be published this month on how schools should promote the welfare of all children.

"We will also be producing and consulting on statutory guidance in the wake of the Children Bill to make it clear that schools should be involved in co-operation," said a DfES spokesman.

Although the survey showed there is support for the overall aims of the Children Bill, there is disappointment that the Government won't impose a duty on GPs to promote the interests of looked-after children.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included