Green light for children’s trusts

In a speech that clearly signalled the eventual separation of
children’s from adults’ social services, health secretary Alan
Milburn announced plans to forge ahead with local children’s trusts
to commission and “where it makes sense” to provide children’s
services. 

Speaking at the National Social Services Conference in Cardiff,
Milburn said children’s trusts that commissioned services would be
based in local authorities, but with powers to commission both
health and social care.

However, a range of models will be explored for children’s
trusts wanting to specialise in providing services. “These could
potentially include local, not-for-profit, public interest
companies that could enlist the involvement of the community,
voluntary and private sectors alongside the public sector,” he
said. The trusts will initially be piloted.

“Children’s trusts can help you dramatically reshape how social
services are organised and delivered,” Milburn told the
conference.

He also announced an extra £140m spread over three years
for child and adolescent mental health services and an extra
£180 million over the same period for adoption and fostering
services.