In December 2007, the Government made a commitment in the Children’s Plan to publish a child health strategy jointly between the Department of Health and the DCSF.

Parents are the key to achieving the best physical and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for their children. This strategy sets out the principles of the relationship between parents and services, and will establish what parents and their children can expect from those services.

This strategy sets out the plans for universal, targeted and specialist support across three life stages – early years and pregnancy; school-age children; and young people – as well as the additional support for children and young people in need of acute or ongoing healthcare.

It also sets out how the delivery system can be supported in taking forward the recommendations – in particular, how the range of services in contact with children and young people can work better together, and with families, to achieve common aims.

Published alongside the strategy is: 'Securing better health for children and young people through world class commissioning', which is a guide to commissioning that will support commissioners in delivering the vision set out in the strategy. This is available to download below, along with a summary version of the main document.

Visit the Department of Health website for more information