The Children's Services Department of the local authority is responsible for the strategic planning and coordination of services for children and young people, aged 0-19, in the borough.
The Children and Young People's Plan is the guiding document for the department and sets out how we will improve children and young people's lives over the next 3 years.
The Children's Service in Barking and Dagenham provides support for children and young people, and their families, in 5 main areas which are based on the national outcomes framework of the Children Act 2004.
These are for all children and young people to:
- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve
- Make a positive contribution
- Achieve economic well-being
Services will become more effective in safeguarding and supporting children and young people to make the most of their opportunities.
A joined up service approach provides the opportunity to enable all children and young people in Barking and Dagenham to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they will need to become well balanced adults able to lead fulfilling and useful personal, social and working lives.
The new Children's Trust and arrangements for the joint planning and commissioning of services are designed to promote full co-operation and collaboration to support better outcomes for children and young people.