Childrens trusts to be downgraded, states Gove

Children’s Trusts will be radically reformed in the Autumn, the government announced today.

Following up from hints made before the election, education secretary Michael Gove said a forthcoming Education Bill would mean local authorities would no longer have to set up children’s trust boards or publish a joint children and young people’s plan. The statutory guidance on children’s trusts will also be withdrawn and schools will no longer have to co-operate.

A news story on the Department for Education website stated: “Strong local partnerships are crucial to meeting the needs of all children, but a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. That is why this government intends to remove much of the bureaucracy surrounding children’s trusts and allow schools to choose how best they may engage.”

The government denied the move would mean Children’s Trust partnerships were no longer a priority and said it would instead free up partners to be more innovative. “The basic duty to co-operate will continue but the list of statutory partners will be reviewed.”

The move will mean that councils will not have to publish the Children and Young People Plans due in April 2011, unless they wish to do so.

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