Every Child Matters

SureStart County Durham is part of Every Child Matters, a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19.

In 2003, the Government published a green paper called Every Child Matters. This was published alongside the formal response to the report into the death of Victoria Climbié, the young girl who was horrifically abused and eventually killed by her great aunt and the man with whom they lived.

The green paper built on existing plans to strengthen preventative services by focusing on four key themes:

Increasing the focus on supporting families and carers - the most critical influence on children's lives.
Ensuring necessary intervention takes place before children reach crisis point and protecting children from falling through the net.
Addressing the underlying problems identified in the report into the death of Victoria Climbié - weak accountability and poor integration.
Ensuring that the people working with children are valued, rewarded and trained.

The green paper prompted a wide consultation with people working in children's services, and with parents, children and young people. Following the consultation, the Government published Every Child Matters: the Next Steps, and passed the Children Act 2004 to support the development of more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families.

In County Durham through consultation, five key outcomes have been identified and agreed, they are essential to the development and wellbeing of our children and young people.

In County Durham we want all our children, young people and their families to:

Be healthy
Stay safe
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well-being

Organisations involved with providing services to children – from hospitals and schools, to police and voluntary groups are working together, to protect children and young people from harm and help them achieve what they want in life. Children and young people are and will be involved in this process.

For more information please visit Every Child Matters in County Durham .