Early intervention
Filling in the gaps
The Government has launched an independent inquiry into children’s social care in England, amid calls for a cross-Government commission into the impact of COVID-19 on the young. What do sector experts hope could be achieved? Ann McGauran reports.
Starting a journey of improvement
Jenny Turnross talks to Ann McGauran about Birmingham Children’s Trust’s progress with improving services for children and young people – and how it has risen to the challenge of the pandemic.
Helping councils defuse the early years ticking time bomb
Nesta has launched a new programme of Early Years Innovation Partnership, and is seeking councils to radically reimagine the way support is given, says Tom Symons.
A mature assessment
The Early Intervention Foundation has published a new version of its Maturity Matrix. The self-assessment is the kind of tool needed now, given the impact of the pandemic on the youngest citizens, says Ben Lewing.
Spinning plates to improve lives
Ann McGauran talks to Charlotte Ramsden about the part she’s played in developing a new vision and plan for children and young people’s services across Greater Manchester – and how it feels to be awarded an OBE.
Healthy Relationships Week: local progress in tackling parental conflict
To mark the start of Healthy Relationships Week, Virginia Ghiara of the Early Intervention Foundation shines a spotlight on local progress in tackling parental conflict.
Responding to the rise in parental conflict during lockdown
Despite a divergence in referral rates during COVID, research has found that councils are responding dynamically to deliver services, says Virginia Ghiara of the Early Intervention Foundation.
Charting a course through tricky waters
Without significant extra funding, many councils and their partners will struggle during COVID-19 recovery to manage the increased demand on services for supporting children and families, says Donna Molloy.
Councils get faster data insights to boost their COVID-19 recovery
Policy in Practice has secured new funding from Innovate UK, meaning councils will now have access to real-time monthly updates on living standards, says Deven Ghelani. This lays the foundation for a data-led response to COVID-19 challenges, he adds.
Examining the forces that push problems downstream
The pandemic has created opportunities for learning, renewal, and new, better responses, says Graeme McDonald. The pro-early intervention arguments appear to many mere common sense, so why is investing early so difficult, he asks.
Early intervention: adapting to a world in lockdown
The Early Intervention Foundation has carried out an intense effort to gather as much information as it could on what works in virtual and digital delivery, says Jack Martin. He outlines what the evidence shows.
Our systemic model is coming to the fore during the pandemic
Sarah Newman, executive director of children’s services for the bi-borough - Kensington & Chelsea RLBC and Westminster City Council – outlines how the councils have been working to protect children and families during the COVID-19 crisis.
Greenwich’s Children’s Centres Offer Remote Support to Families in Need
Lisa Walsh explains how Better Children’s Centres within Greenwich RLBC are helping families by providing practical and emotional support online and over the phone.
What does a public health approach to childhood trauma look like?
Local government and agencies cannot tackle the deep-rooted problems arising from adverse childhood experiences on their own, says Donna Molloy.
Health check
Jayne Moules outlines how a group of Hartlepool agencies has developed a whole-system approach to reducing the impact of parental conflict on children.
Creating communities for all ages
Bringing younger and older people together produces dividends, says Stephen Burke, who outlines how councils can encourage more intergenerational care and living.
‘Things will not get better: We need radical action’
Neil McInroy argues that a crisis in children’s and adults’ services calls for ‘a new spirit of action which challenges economic and political power’.
Taking the initiative together to tackle unhealthy weight
Kensington & Chelsea RLBC’s Go Golborne initiative has stopped the rise in childhood obesity in the ward, says Cllr Sarah Addenbrooke.
Exploring all the options
The ‘radical rethink’ needed to reform the adult social care system calls for bold decisions, full exploration of all the options – and a funding solution that may need some manoeuvring around manifesto pledges on tax, says Cllr Dave Fothergill.
Communities hold the key to children’s social care
Pawda Tjoa says community-led approaches to early intervention should offer valuable lessons for policy-making on a national scale – and now is the time to ‘nurture the local initiatives that are already making a difference’.
