To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria were used to ensure that funding from the Children and Young People’s funding package would reduce under-achievement and improve life chances of children and young people by enhancing their educational development and fostering their health, well-being and social inclusion. (81785)

The criteria for the inclusion of activities under the Children and Young People Funding Package are as follows:

Provision of high-quality structured learning and related activities, support and services, offered from 8 am to 6 pm in schools, youth settings, pre-school centres, child care settings, Sure Start and Children’s Centres;

Development of innovative approaches to delivery that build capacity and ensure that children and young people who are disadvantaged or marginalised, including those in rural areas, can benefit fully from early years education and after-school activities, supported by appropriate health related services;

Strengthening child protection arrangements and fostering inter-agency co-operation and collaboration;

Improving education provision and support for Looked after Children and vulnerable young people;

Developing and implementing an integrated framework for service delivery, that delivers high-quality, cost-effective and flexible provision that meets the needs of children and young people and their families.

Putting in place, from the outset, monitoring and inspection arrangements to assure Departments that the provision is making a positive difference to children and their families.

To ensure maximum impact from the available funding, the programme is being taken forward on a phased basis, targeted initially on children and young people who are disadvantaged, marginalised or have the most limited access to current services.