Children’s Services Department

The Children's Services Department is led by John Coughlan who was appointed to the role in 2005. The Children’s Services Department was formed in 2005 from the Education and Social Services Departments to ensure the Every Child Matters/Children Act 2004 was implemented effectively in Hampshire.

The five outcomes for all children defined by the Act and for which the Department is accountable are:

• Be healthy

• Stay safe

• Enjoy and achieve

• Make a positive contribution

• Achieve economic wellbeing

The vision of the Department is to make Hampshire a better place for children and young people, and everyone offering services to children, young people and their families in Hampshire shares a vision that every child and young person:

• Has the best possible start in life and develops to their full potential.

• Receives an excellent education in preparation for a fulfilled life as an adult.

• Has their achievements celebrated.

• Is able to grow and develop in safety and free from discrimination of every sort.

• Receives the highest possible standard of health care.

• Is listened to and has their views taken into account.

The Department aims to improve outcomes for children and young people by increasing the continuity between universal services and targeted provision, with enhanced partnership arrangements and joint working. The Local Authority leads a partnership for children known as the Children’s and Young People’s Strategic Partnership. There is a focus on whole systems for children with schools at the hub.

The Department is structured around 11 districts which are co-terminus with district council boundaries and grouped into three areas (North and East, South East and Western), complementing Adult Services and single Hampshire Primary Care Trust.

With an allocation of nearly £860 million in 2007/8, the Department oversees the largest element of finance in the County Council. The Department employs around 2,700 staff based in 27 offices around the county, divided among three branches:

• Education and Inclusion

• Children and Families  

• Performance and Resources

There are approximately 310,800 children and young people aged 0-19 in Hampshire, with approximately 169,000 pupils in 530 maintained schools (26 of which are special schools), including post-16 provision..

For more information, please visit Children's Services web pages