Local Services Mapping and Planning is a two step process involving mapping existing needs and services for children and then planning service provision to better meet needs.

Why map and plan children's services?

Services for children (such as care and protection services, education and health provision) need to be accessible across the nation and need to be well co-ordinated at a local level. This is the primary purpose of local services mapping and planning. Improved services result from changes made to:

* strategies for purchase of services from non-government service providers
* statutory service provision

The mapping phase