Above: Represntatives of the Children's Services team. "The accolade also means we are leading the way nationally and will be looked upon as an example of best practice by every other council in the country." Cllr Robert Simpson, Deputy Leader.

Staffordshire leads the way in Children's Services provision

The county council's Community and Learning Partnerships won the 'Best Achievement in Children's Services' award at the Municipal Journal (MJ) Local Government Awards 2008, Wednesday 26 June.

Held at London's Hilton Park Hotel, the event was hosted by Channel 4's news broadcaster John Snow and was attended by around 1,000 people.

The MJ is local government's leading weekly news title and the ceremony saw 16 councils win awards. Communities minister Hazel Blears also attended the event.

Staffordshire's Community and Learning Partnerships have formed a core part of the programme for integrating children's services and have transformed children's services in the county. It has involved the creation of 34 partnerships running multi agency teams in schools, children's centres and other community venues.

Staffordshire County Council's Deputy Leader Councillor Robert Simpson said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Staffordshire County Council and all of the partners involved.

"Being named as the best local authority in the country in delivering Children's Services through effective partnerships shows the commitment and hard work of everyone involved.

"The accolade also means we are leading the way nationally and will be looked upon as an example of best practice by every other council in the country."

In addition to winning an award, a second Staffordshire partnership initiative was also recognised at the ceremony. The Stafford Signpost Project was a finalist in the 'Partnering with Health Services Achievement of the Year' category.

The project involved the county council, Staffordshire Police, Stafford Borough Council, South Staffordshire PCT, Signposts (Stafford) Ltd and the South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare Foundation Trust.

Michael Burton, editor of The MJ, said: "Congratulations to all the winners and the finalists who were selected from a record number of entries. The high calibre of projects submitted is a reflection of the huge range of quality services being delivered by local authorities and their partnering organisations. They are proof indeed that local government deserves its role as leader of its communities."