Published in December 2004 this document outlines how the government will achieve a step change in services for children, young people and families. It ties together a great deal of recent legislation and guidance that will impact on the lives of disabled young people in transition from childhood to adulthood. Although there are no specific requirements with regards to disabled children this guidance will have a big impact on services they receive. This document sets out essential components of Children’s Trust arrangements, including:

- professionals enabled and encouraged to work together in more integrated front-line services, built around the needs of children and young people;
- common processes which are designed to create and underpin joint working;
- a planning and commissioning framework which brings together agencies ’ planning, supported as appropriate by the pooling of resources, and ensures key priorities are identified and addressed; and
- strong inter-agency governance arrangements, in which shared ownership is coupled with clear accountability.
It highlights the development of the common assessment framework.