The role of the Children and Learners Team (CLT) is to:
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Assure Minister’s that the Government Priorities for
children and young people, Children’s Plan and the Every Child
Matters (ECM) Outcomes Framework, are being delivered across the
NW.
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Inform/shape government national policy thinking with a
regional perspective of the needs of Children and Young People in
the NW.
The Team does this by:
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Providing challenge and support to the way the 23
Children’s Trusts/Local Authorities deliver in the North
West.
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Improving and co-ordinating joined up strategic leadership
across the system of agencies and partners working for children and
young people.
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Bringing targeted focus on key priorities and
policies.
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Providing Intelligence and focus to central government on NW
needs.
Government Priorities are set out in Public Service Agreements
(PSAs) and Departmental Strategic Objectives.
These are underpinned by the Every Child Matters programme, which is a
shared programme of change for all children and young people. It
takes forward the government’s vision of radical reform of support
for children and young people.
'Every Child Matters - Change for Children' set out a national framework of
change, to be led by local authorities and their partners, to improve life
for children and young people. Government Offices (GOs) play a key role in
delivering and developing the policies which will achieve this.
More information on the national picture
The ECM change programme has five aims and outcomes for all children
and young people to Be Healthy, Stay Safe, Enjoy and Achieve, Achieve
Economic Well Being and Make a Positive Contribution.
The Children’s Plan in 2007 articulated a 10 year strategy to develop
the ECM agenda even further.
Further information and help on government policies and can be found at
link to Department for Education website and direct gov sites.
How we work
Each year the CLT agrees key priorities and activities with the
Department for Education it will undertake to support the NW deliver
on the above priorities. These are set out in the team’s
business plan - a summary of the CLT 2009-10 Children and Learners Team.
Who we are
Led by Deborah Brownlee, the Director for Children and Learners, we are a
small team of civil servants, local authority and heath service staff who
provide professional expertise, strategic leadership and support across NW
Children’s Trusts and partners to deliver better outcomes for
Children.
We have a team of Children and Leraners Strategic Advisers (CLSAs) who
engage Children’s Trusts/ and with the Statutory Directors of
Children’s Services in each Local Authorities on the priorities
and needs of children and young people in each area. Policy leads
covering a number of issues e.g. Early Years provision, Raising
Participation Age, Healthy Schools.
Additionally, together with CLSAs, our Safeguarding Advisers build strong
relationships with local councils, Children’s Trusts and Local
Safeguarding Children Boards to challenge their child protection
arrangements and help to support the delivery of high-quality safeguarding
activities.
