Every Child Matters

Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19.

This brochure is produced by Hampshire’s Children’s Services Department, which was formed by combining Children’s Social Services and the former Education Department. Our role is to ensure that all children aged 0 to 19 (especially those who are vulnerable and have extra needs) have the opportunities that will help them achieve the most that they can in life. We work with other agencies, such as the NHS, the police, district councils and the voluntary sector, to deliver the best possible support to children, young people, their families and carers. There are a number of important investments in services over the next few years, including 53 children’s centres to support early years education and child care; developing every school to be an extended school; offering a better range of out-of-school activities; and changes to the 14–19 curriculum in conjunction with colleges.

The Government’s aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:

• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
• Achieve economic well-being.

The department is working with its partners to deliver these outcomes for children in Hampshire. For more information on this work and other aspects of the Change for Children programme in Hampshire, please visit our directory of information about services for families, which you can find at www.hantsfish.org.uk