This week's national children and adult services conference in Manchester has been a sell-out, with a message on its website saying no more bookings could be taken – a rare achievement indeed at a time when most public sector association conferences have been struggling with declining delegate numbers.

But, it is not hard to see why such an event should be so popular. Turmoil, upheaval and plain fear stalk the corridors of upper-tier councils when it comes to children and adult care. Most county councils are little more than organisations helping children and vulnerable adults, and to them, as well as unitaries and Mets, both these services represent the budgets most out of control and causing their managements the greatest concern. Ever since the Baby Peter case, the number of children taken back into care has risen, along with the costs. Adult care costs are on an upward curve.