Launch Date: Friday 13 November 2009

Closing Date: Friday 29 January 2010

The Government's ambition is to make this the best place in the world for children to grow up. Children's Trusts are responsible for making this happen by bringing together all the services for children, young people and families and ensuring their needs are met.

The Government has recently introduced legislation (via the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009) to strengthen Children's Trusts further by extending the number of Children's Trust's partners, putting the Children's Trust Board on a statutory footing and giving the Board responsibility for preparing and monitoring the implementation of the local Children and Young People's Plan (CYPPs). These reforms are due to come into effect next year, with the new jointly owned CYPPs in place by April 2011.

The Government has prepared revised statutory guidance and associated regulations governing the CYPP to support the introduction of these reforms.  This will replace the existing guidance documents on Children's Trust and the Children and Young People's Plan. In order to ensure that the final regulations and guidance are robust and helpful as possible, the Government are consulting on the draft versions. To have your say or find out more click here.

To find out more about Children's Trusts click here.

To find out more about the Children and Young People's plan click here.