Update on Children's Fund Extention

Children's Fund Grant Extension

Briefing Note

You may be aware of the announcement in July by Ed Balls, Minister of State for Children, Schools and Families, that the Children's Fund has been allocated additional money for the next three years based on previous year's allocation. The announcement from the Minister reflects the recognition of the work that Children's Funds have achieved over the last five to six years and they have provided a foundation for the development of preventative services to children, young people and their families in the future.

This allocation will come directly to Local Authorities and will be pooled with other funding streams to form a new area based grant to improve a wide range of outcomes, including those for children and young people. The Children's Fund allocation will not be ring-fenced but resources included in it will be identifiable and transparent.

This pooled resource allows, at a local level, the flexibility to align the funding with locally identified priorities. The extension of the Children's Fund grant until 2011 as part of a general area based grant brings the opportunity for District Children's Trusts multi-agency partnerships to have a role in the shaping of preventive services for children and young people aged 5-13 in their areas under the Children's Fund banner.

The District Children's Trust Boards, as multi-agency partnerships, will be invited to contribute to the commissioning process for developing proposals for preventive services for 5-13 and project proposals are currently being developed right across Staffordshire.