Children and young people

The NHS Confederation believes it is vital to address the health needs of children and young people, both in their own right and as future adults.

We think this is best achieved by:

• the NHS ensuring it is commissioning, designing and delivering services tailored to the needs of children and young people
• giving information that supports lifestyle decisions and choices
• playing a central role in the co-ordination of the broader implementation of children's care services at a local level.

Confederation representation

We are committed to having an active role in the development and implementation of the cross-governmental agenda for children and young people. We do this through:

• our involvement with the Children's Inter-Agency Group, a partnership of key voluntary sector organisations, local government representatives and ourselves
• running a 'sounding board' of PCT chief executives and local authority directors of children's services on behalf of the Department of Health so that new policy can be tested out with the people in the know
• our contacts with the Department of Health, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and national clinical director for children
• having a representative on the Aiming High ministerial reference group for the health of disabled children
• two members representing the Confederation on the National Children's Bureau Board
• responding to specific consultations, for example the Child Health Strategy; strengthening children's trusts; the development of SureStart children's centres; the speech and language therapy review; and the Carers Strategy which has implications for young carers.

Get involved

We are always keen to strengthen member involvement in our children and young people work. Email jenny.hawkins@nhsconfed.org to join our email network of interested members.

Members have been involved in six-monthly reviews of key policy issues with DCSF senior officials and we hold specific seminars and meetings to inform our policy positions. Look out for information in our weekly Interchange Alert bulletin and for specific invitations.

Our PCT Network annual conference on 22 January 2009 - World Class Commissioning, World Class Health - will feature workshop sessions on commissioning maternity and children's services

Haringey baby case

On 11 November 2008 two men were convicted for allowing or causing the death of a 17 month old baby in Haringey, London. The case brings safeguarding children issues back to the top of the agenda and several reviews and inquiries are now underway, including one by Lord Laming who chaired the Victoria Climbie inquiry.

Responding to the verdict on 11 November, Confederation deputy director of policy, Jo Webber, called for a re-examination of the culture and attitudes within health organisations charged with the care of young people. She said: "Health professionals understand that the decisions they make can have a life or death impact on the lives of the people they care for".