Early intervention
No child should be at the mercy of a postcode lottery
We need a national conversation about the way our mental health system fails too many children and a review of CAMHS is required, says the new president of the ADCS, Steve Crocker.
Putting purpose before profit for our children
Dominic Campbell says it’s time to build ventures that can put purpose ahead of profiteering – and fostering is just one of the areas being tackled by a new not-for-profit co-conceived with local authority partners.
EXCLUSIVE: NAO to consider early intervention report
The National Audit Office (NAO) is to consider a report on early intervention and prevention after lobbying from the sector, The MJ understands.
Our golden chance to improve the lives of children
The levelling up agenda provides us with the chance to tackle the rising number of children living in poverty, but this relies on Government committing to developing a cross-departmental strategy, says Charlotte Ramsden.
Birmingham has a bold vision for levelling up
The levelling up White Paper must show how double devolution can deliver opportunities for every local place and back the innovations Birmingham is leading the way on, says Cllr Ian Ward.
Mapping the workforce involved in reducing parental conflict
Georgina Atkins and Helen Burridge look at how Walsall Council worked with EIF to map workforce skills in reducing parental conflict and develop a local theory of change.
Labour 'will prioritise early intervention'
The next Labour government will prioritise early intervention and provide open access mental health hubs to children in every community, says shadow minister for education Kate Green.
Boosting children’s chances
Chair of the independent review of children’s social care Josh MacAlister speaks to Ann McGauran about the inquiry’s progress so far and his hopes for a simpler system built on firmer foundations.
Finding evidence to support the 'bleedin' obvious'
Abdool Kara asks why such a small proportion of health money is devoted to preventative activities. 'It can only be because the Department of Health or HM Treasury are not convinced by the evidence.'
Making the most of the Spending Review investment
Steph Waddell says more investment in the Supporting Families Programme makes good sense – and she proposes three steps to ensure it is deployed in the best way.
Budget 2021: More money for youth services and 'family hubs'
A £560m cash injection for youth services and an investment of £500m in supporting families and early years including a network of ‘family hubs’ have been confirmed in today’s Spending Review.
Help – when and where it’s needed
Norfolk CC has successfully shifted the emphasis in children's services from crisis to prevention, including remodelling its corporate parenting service for children in care and beyond. It's just the start, as Sara Tough explains.
Integrated early years services – the benefits are clear
The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ report on the long-term benefits of Sure Start offers a rare opportunity to build on a strong evidence base to design the new Family Hubs programme, say Sarah Cattan and Christine Farquharson.
Let’s bring a bold policy moment to life
It’s time to seize the opportunity of the Spending Review to level up support for children and families, says chief executive of the Early Intervention Foundation, Dr Jo Casebourne.
We need to do more to tackle homelessness before it happens
The country needs a national housing and homelessness strategy underpinned by long-term sustainable investment, with a significant focus on prevention, says John Glenton.
It’s easy as ABCD
Leeds City Council’s ABCD model is focused on prevention and early intervention and is an asset-based approach aimed at empowering communities and individuals. Carmel Langstaff examines the results of an evaluation into whether it works.
It’s not all about the money
It is dangerous if we let the discussion about the reform of social care become exclusively about funding, says Dr Jonathan Carr-West.
Children’s services spending slashed in half, charities warn
Council spending on crucial services that help stop children reaching crisis point has halved over the last decade, new research has revealed.
Care review must be part of a long-term plan for children - ADCS
The independent review of children's social care ‘must go further and be part of a coherent and strategic long-term plan for children,’ according to the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).
Together we can tackle child poverty
North of Tyne Combined Authority is developing a two-year £875,000 Child Poverty Prevention programme. Cllr Karen Kilgour says a fair chance in life, with opportunity and security, should be every child’s destiny.
