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More discussion is needed on the role that schools should play in the proposed changes to children’s services, according to the Confederation of Education Service Managers (Confed).

In a consultation paper, Chris Waterman, executive director of Confed, says that given the central role that schools will have, head teachers, staff and governors should be more involved in the policy discussions.

He says that schools are the only universal service regularly in contact with children and young people, and that school staff "are closer to children’s social and educational development than any other professional".

His paper, Every School Matters, says: "The school has the greatest potential, among local services, to be the hub for the co-ordination of education, health and social services to children of statutory school age".

But Waterman says that the green paper Every Child Matters was not widely distributed to schools and that the Children Bill lacks reference to schools, and their staff and governors.

He adds that schools must recognise their responsibility for the education and well-being of every child, and that they must be integrated into the whole range of children’s services.

Every School Matters, published by The Education Network, states that the school workforce will be critical to the success of the new agenda and says that staff roles will need to change in order to deliver integrated services.

Even where staff numbers and job titles remain unchanged "there will need to be an explicit focus within some roles on the liaison with other agencies".

- Every School Matters available from The Education Network at www.ten.info