Within six months of the establishment of the Department for Children, Schools and Families, secretary of state, Ed Balls, was ready to present to Parliament a very substantial 169-page Children's Plan Building brighter futures.

Preparation of the plan had been informed by a process which, according to the minister, ‘is the beginning of a new way of working, not just a one-off event... More than ever before, families will be at the centre of excellent, integrated services…'

The plan itself sets out the 20:20 vision in seven chapters: 1. Happy and healthy; 2. Safe and sound; 3. Excellence and equity; 4. Leadership and collaboration; 5. Staying on; 6. On the right track; 7. Making it happen. In addition, there are four annexes, the most important of which is Annexe C, which sets out the next steps in delivery of the plan.

It is based on five principles:

Three ‘expert groups', one each for ages nought to seven, eight to 13, and 14 to 19 had also produced detailed reports with recommendations under the following headings: 1. Positive childhood; 2. Parents and families; 3. Personalisation; 4. Prevention; 5. Making change happen.

Many of the recommendations from the three groups reflected common themes which are of concern across the age range. These include: