Early intervention
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.
Supporting young victims of domestic abuse
Steph Waddell says it’s time for a serious long-term commitment from government to improve understanding of what works in supporting children affected by domestic abuse.
Innovating for a fairer start
Early years and education is one of Nesta’s three focus areas for the next decade. Tom Symons outlines how they are partnering with three councils for trial discovery projects to improve school readiness levels.
Support when and where it’s needed
An animation about a young woman on the edge of care gives staff and families an easy explanation of how the No Wrong Door approach works, says Sally Britton.
We need to better capture the impact of community power
New Local's latest report forensically and persuasively shows community power works, and now we need to measure it better, says Luca Tiratelli.
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.
