Children’s Services Department

The Children Act 2004 places a duty on services to ensure that every child, whatever their background or circumstances, has the support they need to be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve through learning; make a positive contribution to society and achieve economic well-being.

The Children’s Services Department is responsible for securing the education and well being of all children and young people in the county. Hampshire is a large county with 541 schools serving 171,000 pupils. Schools range from a 45 pupil rural primary school, to a 1,875 pupil secondary school. Hampshire County Council is committed to improving standards in teaching and learning across the County.

Education provides a wide range of services to schools, families and children, at school and in the community. Services range from the Hampshire Ethnic Minority Achievement Service, which aims to raise the levels of achievement of pupils from ethnic minority groups, through a range of support services including the internationally renowned Hampshire Music Service.

The department also provides services for children and families who are in need of additional support from low levels of need through to children with complex disabilities, children in care and children in need of protection.