NHS Confederation deputy policy director Jo Webber said: "We have made it clear that, without input from the full range of professionals, the Government risks creating a system that is not properly joined up and could fail children.
"The Government is on the right course by bringing in expertise from across health and other local services to draw up its child health outcomes framework.
Complex needs
"We believe it would be even better if other departments were brought in to develop the framework. Buy-in from top to bottom is really important - especially when planning care for those children with the most complex needs.
Framework needs to be compatible
"This new forum faces a real challenge. We need a new framework that is compatible both with the social care and public health outcomes frameworks, the mental health strategy and wider government policy so it genuinely works for children."