Integration at core of Green Paper

As well as announcing the Government's plan for England to have an independent children's commissioner, the Green Paper sets out its framework for services covering all children and young people from birth to the age of 19 living in England. Key proposals include all children being given a number so they can be tracked from birth, resulting in the 'sweeping away'

of legal, technical and cultural barriers to sharing information among everyone responsible for children.

The paper proposes having integrated teams of health and education professionals, social workers and Connexions advisers based in and around children's centres and schools. It outlines the establishment of 'a clear framework of responsibility' locally and nationally, with the appointment of a children's director in every local authority responsible for bringing together all services as children's trusts, and for services to be judged on joint working through an integrated inspection framework overseen by Ofsted. The Green Paper also proposes the setting up of a workforce unit based in the Department for Education and Skills 'to develop the pay and workforce strategy for those who work with children'.