A charity has devised a blueprint for improved access to good quality play provision for disabled children under five through more national funding, investing in childcare providers' facilities, making play a statutory service and enforcing equalities law.
Ofsted says the children’s services inspection regime is working well, but an independent assessment found areas for improvement. The ADCS’s Steve Crocker tells Jo Stephenson how ILACS can be refined.
The National Lottery-funded A Better Start programme to boost early child development celebrates its fifth birthday this month. Those involved in the programme highlight its achievements to date.
In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the scale of child neglect, its long-term effect on children's wellbeing and how interventions can prevent and repair the damage caused to children's ability to form strong attachments with parents and carers.
An NAO report suggests funded childcare may damage social mobility because better-off families make better use of entitlements. Three experts assess if it should only be available to disadvantaged families.
An evaluation of the government's Troubled Families programme suggests it has helped cut care rates by a third as councils invested millions in early help. With the scheme due to end, leaders say the funding must continue.
WellChild nurses work in innovative ways to support children with complex needs and their families. Gabriella Józwiak finds out about their varied roles and the difference they make to children's lives
Renewed recognition of the value of parenting support has seen policymakers develop targeted programmes to help address the needs of struggling families alongside more universal provision.
Interventions to boost young children’s outcomes and narrow the attainment gap aim to improve social mobility. CYP Now’s special report looks at the latest developments, research and examples of best practice.
Data shows the number of child abuse, parental neglect and domestic violence cases is rising, raising tough challenges for how child protection services and professionals work effectively with families.
Children’s services and courts face serious challenges when making care plans or permanence orders for siblings, writes Dr John Simmonds, director of policy, research and development at CoramBAAF.
With rises in children coming into care and reporting mental health problems, policymakers and service providers are developing therapeutic care and support across a range of settings to help young people.
Restorative practice is now being used across a wide range of services for vulnerable children, young people and families and has a distinct set of principles and standards underpinning the approach.
Academic whose research underpins new government drive to resolve parental conflict explains how policy can help councils develop support programmes that mitigate the damage it causes to children's wellbeing.
The cost to the UK of perinatal mental health difficulties is estimated to be £8bn annually. Jill Domoney visited Australia, a world-leader in this field, to see how agencies there support new parents and infants.