This year will almost certainly be a landmark for children's services in England – for all the wrong reasons. With the election campaign already in full swing, little will be heard about the coalition record on children's services since 2010 – and even less is likely to appear in any of the party manifestos.

Nicky Morgan replaced Michael Gove as secretary of state for education (which includes children's services, lest we forget) too late to have much impact. A safe pair of hands, allegedly, but her top priority is hanging on to her seat.