The Green Paper's main proposals

To support families:

Consultation on the components of the strategy for supporting families and parenting, including the roll out of home visiting services

Consultation on Choice Protects measures to tackle the recruitment and retention challenges In foster care: e.g. A national recruitment campaign: paid leave for foster carers and raising Statutory adoption pay to 90% of pay for the first six weeks of leave in line with statutory maternity pay: a national award scheme for foster carers: a national 24 helpline for foster carers: improved short breaks provision: support for foster carers if allegations are made, similar to that provided for teachers.

To improve early identification and ensure effective protection:

Removing the legislative and technical barriers to electronic information sharing and developing and single unique identity numbers, and common data standards on the recording of information.

Moving towards a common assessment framework

Creation of a lead professional role to improve case management for children known to a number of agencies

Encouragement for professionals to work in multi-disciplinary teams based in and around schools and children’s Centres.

To strengthen accountability and integration:

Legislation to create the post of a Director of Children’s Services, responsible for local authority education and children social services.

Movement towards Children’s Trusts (2006) but no immediate compulsion

Legislation to create a lead council member for children

Children and Young People Strategic Partnerships (CYSPs) to be required

ACPCs to become statutory Local Safeguarding Boards in single and upper tier authorities, subject to consultation, these to be sub committees of CYSPs

Consultation on extending the existing duty on local education authorities to safeguard children and promote their well being to all-council services, police and health services

Creation of a new Minister of children in DfES

The new Children and Families’ Directorate in DfES to encourage the joining up of local services by rationalising targets, funding streams etc., by setting out clear practice standards: and by creating an integrated inspection framework, the latter process to be led by Ofstead.

Development of a central improvement and intervention function

Creation of a Children’s Commissioner for England

To reform the workforce

Consultation on measures such as recruitment campaign: workload survey: more flexible training routes: common occupational standards: common core training: review of contribution of health visitors, nurses and midwives: leadership development programme.

Creation of a Workforce Planning Unit in DfES

Working towards the Children and Young People’s Sector Skills Council.