This paper from the Department for Children, Schools and Families describes how the Department proposes to work more closely with the third sector and it sets out the main focus of the shared goals and work over the coming months and years within the framework of Every Child Matters.

The Department will continue to draw on the expertise of the third sector in the delivery of various policy initiatives related to the healthy agenda such as the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and the Travel to School initiative. It will work with the third sector on initiatives related to being in good physical, mental, emotional and sexual health, as well as healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, and a nutritious diet.

There will also be close working with the third sector to transform services for disabled children and their families through the Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme. It will continue to actively encourage local authorities involved in the Targeted Mental Health in Schools programme to involve and commission third sector providers.

It is recognized that parents can find it hard to identify the right local or national services when they seek support and that it can also be difficult for third sector organisations that support families to find other organisations or to promote themselves to parents and families. To help tackle these difficulties the Parent Know How Directory will go live in September 2009. This new, free, web-based tool for parents will also enable third sector providers who work with parents and families to identify the right service for their clients.

THIRD SECTOR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN is available from DCFS http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/00699-2009BKT-EN.pdf