Children's Services Authority – formerly the Local Education Authority (LEA)
East Sussex Children's Services Authority (CSA) aims to improve the co-ordination of services that affect children and young people. These services are:
- education – taking over functions of the old LEA
- social services – where they relate to children and young people
- health services – where the CSA works for children on behalf of organisations such as the NHS.
Because the CSA has taken over nearly all of the functions of the old LEA, its responsibilities include:
- supporting East Sussex schools in raising educational standards
- keeping children safe
- looking after children in care
- coordinating and developing help for children with special needs.
In Spring 2004 the Government published Every Child Matters: Next Steps. This forms the heart of the Children Act 2004. Every Child Matters sets out how local authorities across the country will bring together services for children and young people.
