Written question asked by John Hayes (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 February 2006. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Children's Fund

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the nature of the grants made in 2004–05 through the children's fund.

Answer: In 2004–05, children's fund grant totalling £160 million was allocated by the Department for Education and Skills to the 149 children's fund partnerships based in each local authority area in England. This grant was used to fund a range of preventative services aimed at children aged five to 13 addressing social exclusion amongst children, young people and their families. Children's fund partnerships are responsible for setting priorities, making funding decisions and commissioning services according to the needs and priorities of the area. The three most commonly targeted groups were children with ““behaviour difficulties””, ““self-esteem problems”” and those ““exhibiting antisocial or criminal behaviour””.The children's fund helps to ensure that preventative approaches to services and planning are embedded into the practice of all statutory and voluntary services for children and young people.

Secondary information