A powerful coalition of children's groups has warned that efforts to improve the lives of British youngsters will fail unless schools are given a statutory role in their welfare.

Warning that the Children Bill fails to give schools a duty to participate in the new arrangements, the charities and interest groups takes issue with the planned legislation.

The groups - which include the NSPCC, the Local Government Association and the Metropolitan Police - want to see schools being involved in the integration of services to safeguard children.

"The government's vision of breaking down organisational boundaries and arranging services around the needs of children to ensure they are safe, happy, healthy and achieving has the resounding support of the group," they said.

"The government risks undermining this vision by failing to require schools to identify priorities and resources to ensure that they provide for children facing additional challenges, working with other agencies where necessary."

Schools must be compelled to adopt a greater role in boosting the life chances of young people, the groups argued.

"Although the government claims that schools are central to the successful delivery of improved outcomes, the bill neglects to require schools to change the way they work." said the coalition.

"Although some schools will recognise the importance of working in a more co-operative way, the government cannot rely entirely on the excellence and integrity of head teachers.

"In order to fulfill this vital role, schools need clarity over expectations.

"This is a rare opportunity to radically reform children's services to ensure that agencies act on the warning signs when children have problems.

"It is vital that the Children Bill is amended so that schools - the agency where most children spend significant amounts of their time - have a statutory obligation to engage in this agenda and work in an integrated way around the needs of children."