Every Child Matters aims to ensure that every child and young person has the support they need to:

• be healthy
• stay safe
• enjoy and achieve
• make a positive contribution
• achieve economic well-being

The Every Child Matters outcomes framework sets out the aims, targets, indicators and inspection criteria that underpin achievement of these five outcomes. It is expected to act as a basis for agreeing priorities and planning change at local level.

The outcomes framework recognises the importance of culture and sport in enabling children and young people to achieve personal and social development and enjoy recreation, contributing to the ‘enjoy and achieve’ outcome. Specific indicators include:

• take-up of sporting opportunities by 5-16 year-olds
• take-up of cultural and sporting opportunities among people aged 16 plus

Inspection evidence includes that ‘there are safe and accessible places where children and young people can play and socialise’. Inspection judgements include that ‘All children and young people can access a range of recreational activities, including play and voluntary learning provision’. Under the ‘be healthy’ outcome there is also recognition of the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles to children and young people. Service providers will need to evidence that ‘Children and young people are enabled and encouraged to take regular exercise’.

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