Anyone who works with vulnerable children and young people knows that the benefits of effective joint working between local agencies cannot be undersold.

In areas that do this well, agencies have a strong grip on issues affecting children and their families. They have a clear picture of children who are at risk of harm. They take timely and effective action to respond to those who need help. Far from having tunnel vision, children's experiences are seen in the round. Agencies talk to one another, they share information and intelligence is acted upon. Children are less likely to ‘slip through the net' in these places.