Every Child Matters

In 2003 the government published a green paper titled Every Child Matters, this was published along side the formal response to the report into the death of Victoria Climbé. The green paper prompted a debate about services for children, young people and families. There was 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, providing the legislative spine for developing more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families.

Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. The government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:

be healthy
stay safe
enjoy and achieve
make a positive contribution
achieve economic well-being

These five outcomes are universal ambitions for every child and young person, whatever their background or circumstances. Improving outcomes for all children and young people underpins all of the development and work within children's trusts.

The following documents show the ECM outcomes framework and where Healthy Schools meet these outcomes.

Every Child Matters - How to address the five outcomes in Ealing schools (word)
Guidance on the types of activites that may contribute to evidence for the five every child matters outcomes.

Every Child Matters and national healthy school status (NHSS) (word)
How national healthy school status contributes to every child matters national outcomes for children.

Outcomes framework (pdf)
Published with Every Child Matters: Change for Children, 1 December 2004.