Children's trusts are local-area partnership arrangements for bringing together key agencies, to deliver better-integrated and more outcome-focused services for children, young people and their families.
Children's Trusts were introduced as part of the Children's Act 2004 and a response to Lord Laming's inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000. His report highlighted the extent to which better working together and better communication were paramount and crucial to safeguarding Children.

The essential features of a children's trust are:
Outcome-led vision:
A focus on improved outcomes, informed by the views of children and their families;

Before the coalition governement Children Trust Board and Children's Plan were statutory. That is no longer the case however Bury's Children's Trust decided to continue with the Trust Board and to have a new Children Plan 2011 - 2014. The Trust structure now has an Excutive Trust Board which is responsible for the Children's Plan. This Plan now has just three prority areas. 

1. Working with those families with complex needs

2. Making sure that all children in Bury have ( good enought parenting).

3. Supporting transitions into adulthood