Children and young people
The National Service Framework (NSF) for Child Health and Maternity was published in 2004 and is a 10-year programme that aims for long-term and sustained improvement in children's health. Setting standards for health and social services for children, young people and pregnant women, the NSF aims to ensure fair, high-quality and integrated health and social care, from pregnancy right through to adulthood.
The children's NSF is a fundamental change in thinking about health and social care services. It aims to lead to a cultural shift, and result in services being designed and delivered around the needs of children and families. It is aimed at everyone who comes into contact with – or delivers services to – children, young people or pregnant women.
Published in three parts, this NSF sets quality standards for local health organisations and their partners. The standards are intended to bring about real improvements for children, young people and families. They are key components of delivering the government’s Every Child Matters programme. The agenda aims to improve every child’s ability to:
- be healthy
- stay safe
- enjoy and achieve
- make a positive contribution
- enjoy economic well-being.
The NSF specifically aims to ensure that the care you and your children receive:
- is quicker and easier to access
- more closely matches the needs of individual children and young people
- is better coordinated so you do not have to see too many professionals and repeat your story
- is better at involving you in decisions about your care
- is better at achieving good results and outcomes for children and young people
- more closely reflects what children and young people and pregnant women say they want
