This paper has detailed some of the key government initiatives, which together, provide the foundation for the Every Child Matters reforms including support and preventative services for children and their families. It is argued, that though the impetus for these reforms were partly influenced by the death of an African child, there is insufficient focus on the needs of minority ethnic children and families involved in child welfare matters. An attempt was made to highlight a number of themes in which studies have identified concerns about how children and families from minority ethnic origins appear to be treated unfairly when involved with children’s services. It is also argued that these themes are not new but they remain unaddressed due to the lack of ethnicity mainstreaming in child welfare policy and legislation. It is concluded that more is needed under the Every Child Matters agenda to both acknowledge and address the specific needs of minority ethnic children and their families. References