London Play

Working for a capital where all children can play

2009 Governance of Children's Trusts

This first new policy briefing for 2009 should help to inform play campaigners about the structures being adopted for Children's Services decision making via Children's Trusts by the local councils, and about updated government guidance issued to each Director of Children's Services and the Lead Member (elected councillor) for Children's Services.

Use the briefing to understand how to get your hands on the levers of power, and to understand how others get there. Use it also to ensure you can properly advise local groups concerned to improve play opportunities, and lastly use it to make sure that the officials in the Children's Services take their responsibilities for play provision and improvement seriously.

Following recent over-publicised tragedies of child-abuse, it is easy for such officials to "pull in their horns" and focus on core professional responsibilities of child-protection, and miss the greater universal provision of services to promote the well-being of all children by improving their local environments to facilitate them enjoying play, socialisation and fun in the public realm.

Download the briefing below.