What are we?

Devon Children’s Trust is a partnership of public and voluntary sector organisations working together to meet the needs of children, families and young people. 

Children’s Trusts exist across the country to improve the lives and futures of children and young people and were set up following the tragic death of Victoria Climbie and the resulting Children Act 2004.

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

These are known as the ‘five outcomes.’  All Children’s Trusts aim to achieve the best for the children and young people by thinking of them in the round, as whole people working in partnership with organisations such as the ones below.
By working together, the organisations listed below focus on children’s services by setting aspirational goals, pooling budgets and championing children’s and young people’s interests.

Who are the partners?

Devon's Children's Trust is a strategic partnership. It exists to improve outcomes for children and young people because we believe that this can be done more effectively by us all working together than as single agencies or organisations.

Children are whole people, so effective work is based on their needs and aspirations rather than what any one organisation is responsible for delivering. When the term, 'we' is used, it means the Children's Trust partnership.

We are:

parents, parent governors and parent carers Devon County Council
the voluntary and independent sector Cornwall and Devon Connexions
schools, colleges and other learning settings Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
faith communities Devon and Cornwall Learning and Skills Council
East Devon District Council Devon and Cornwall Police Authority
Exeter City Council Devon and Cornwall Probation Area
Mid Devon District Council Devon Primary Care Trust
North Devon District Council Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
South Hams District Council Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust
Teignbridge District Council Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Torridge District Council South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
West Devon Borough Council South West Strategic Health Authority

 

Decision-making

The Board
The Children’s Trust Board is led by an independent chair and has representatives from many of the agencies listed above. The Board gives strategic leadership, sets standards and values and makes sure that all our stakeholders are able to learn about, and contribute to, the development of the trust.

The Executive
The Executive is made up of various public and voluntary sector organisations and is responsible for implementing Devon’s Children and Young People’s Plan.

Children’s Trust Local Planning and Implementation Partnerships
These are based on district council areas and inform and influence strategic planning, taking into account local differences.  Each group designs and implements the Children’s Trust work plan for their area and monitors its delivery.

Children Act link - www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/strategy/guidance

Victoria Climbie link - www.victoria-climbie-inquiry.org.uk