Every Child Matters

Applicable to: England

In December 2003, the Government published the Green Paper Every Child Matters (HM Goverment 2003). The Paper sets out the need to ensure that every child is properly protected from risk and is supported in reaching their full potential. After consultation with children, young people and families, the Paper suggests the following as key outcomes for children:

being healthy;
staying safe;
enjoying and achieiving;
positively contributing to the community and society; and
economic well-being.

The Government is making progress towards achieving these (for example, through Sure Start, reforms to the youth justice system and increased funding). The Paper also proposes action in the future regarding:

increased support for parents and carers;
early intervention programmes and effective protection;
workforce reform; and
integrating the local, regional and national systems and improving accountability.

Although these outcomes are not specific to drugs, they can still be seen as being important in drug prevention (DSD 2004; DfES 2005). The Paper is part of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme, which is the responsibility of the Department for Education and Skills.

The Children Act (2004) will help to embed its principles in legislation.

Although the Paper is only directed towards the situation of the children living in England, the devolved adminstrations have closely followed its development and plan to consider adapting appropriate approaches in the document (HM Government 2003).

References
Children Act. (2004). The Stationery Office. London. (Please click here to access the Act online.)

DfES (Department for Education and Skills) (2005). Government response to hidden harm: the report of an inquiry by the Advisory Council on the misuse of drugs. DfES, London.
(Please click here to access the report online.)

DSD (Drugs Strategy Directorate) (2004). Tackling drugs changing lives: keeping communities safe from drugs. Drugs strategy progress report 2004. DSD, Home Office, London.

HM (Her Majesty’s) Government (2003). Every child matters Cm 5860. The Stationery Office, London. (Please click here to access this Paper online.)

Relevant websites
The Every Child Matters' homepage

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