Every now and then, I think about writing a satirical column on education, but before I get round to it, the world has proved that my most extreme ideas are too tame.
There is a lot of research into the role children's centres play in improving outcomes for disadvantaged families. However, researchers from the University of Nottingham were keen to investigate centres' role in preventing injuries to under-fives, an area not previously analysed. Previous research has found injuries disproportionately affect children from low-income families.
At a time when government has highlighted the need to improve local domestic violence services, the support provided by Gateshead Council has been praised - with good information sharing between agencies at its heart.
The importance of strong attachments from early childhood - and of tackling the damage caused by neglect where these attachments are lacking - is seeing greater recognition in both policy and practice.
If children's services are to deliver improved outcomes with declining resources, the sector must embrace technology, joint working and volunteers, says Pillars and Foundations, a radical paper from the ADCS.