There have always been, and always will be, sceptics, no matter what the Government decides to do. There are considerable existing resources devoted to children's services - funding for local authorities, for schools and in the private and voluntary sectors. There is more than 1bn going into education welfare services, the Children's Fund, Connexions, the youth service, learning mentors and behaviour and education support teams - and 4bn is going into children's social services.
Under the Government's green paper proposals, we want to bring all our children's services and resources closer together. We will need to look at where the money is and how it can be joined up. We want children's trusts to be able to plan and commission services in the most effective way, both in budget and needs, and then develop services that can be provided by the public, private and voluntary sectors and the community.
Some developments may need specific resources, simply because they are new. But we have to ask whether our existing services could be provided in a better way and whether different methods of funding would be more appropriate. It is only then can that we legitimately consider whether any extra resources are needed.
- Got a question for the minister? Send it in to Donna Murphy, Children Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP or email donna.murphy@haynet.com.
