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The Children Act 2004 says that all areas should have a children’s trust arrangements by March 2008. Children’s trust arrangements are the government’s preferred model of working to provide integrated services for children, young people and their families. The new children’s trust arrangements will mean that local authorities, health services, police and voluntary and community services will work together more closely to provide more joined up services.
The ‘children’s trust onion’ which is a conceptual framework for defining what the children’s trust arrangements are describes four distinct layers of integration leading to improved outcomes.
Children's trust arrangements are a response to Lord Laming's report of the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié, which highlights the extent to which better working together, and better communication are crucial. Children's trust arrangements are also based on the best practice of local authorities and PCTs from initiatives such as Sure Start, Connexions, Children’s Fund, and Youth Offending Teams.
The evidence that emerged from the Victoria Climbié inquiry confirms many of the messages from previous inquiries into similar child protection failings. The messages were - seeing and listening to children and responding to their needs, improving the quality of communication, and joint working. Children's trust arrangements need to be developed to address these issues.