The framework will set standards for child healthcare

The National Service Framework (NSF) for Children will set standards for the community health and social care children should receive.

Experts say this is the "greatest opportunity" to improve child health since the beginning of the NHS.

But some campaigners fear the framework will lack "teeth" because there are not expected to be any targets to meet.

The real challenge will be engaging all the people who are involved in children's services Dr Simon Lenton, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

The government has already published an NSF outlining the expected standards of hospital care for children.

But this NSF is not expected to include targets, as NSFs on cancer and heart disease did.

The framework is also not expected to be backed by any dedicated funding.

Involvement

Experts have been concerned that children have been treated simply as "mini adults" in the past.

The NSF is expected to say children should be offered services which are appropriate to their age and that their needs should be recognised as being distinct to those of adults.

It was triggered by the reports on the Bristol babies heart scandal and the case of Victoria Climbie, both of which highlighted failings in how services for children were organised and managed.

The NSF is likely to cover issues such as the care of children with complex health needs and mental health problems and disabilities, and to say that children and young people should be involved in deciding on their treatment.

Dr Simon Lenton, vice-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said: "This is the first time, anywhere, that there has been a comprehensive review of the children's health services, and standards set for them.

"It is the greatest opportunity to improve children's service since the establishment of the NHS."