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.
All children's services teams face the challenge of keeping staff turnover low against a landscape of tight budgets, so it is essential employers master the skills to retain, motivate and reward employees.
A new social work practice model, low caseloads and joined-up services have helped two of the three councils in a merged children's services department become the first to be judged "outstanding" by Ofsted's inspection system.
One of the problems of democracy is that leaders have views on many issues, and citizens don't always agree with all of the policies of "their" party or their government. So, I find myself supporting the principle of the new national funding formula for schools while deeply opposing the academisation programme.
In early 2014, the tri-borough councils in London became one of the first areas to benefit from the Department for Education's £100m, two-year Children's Social Care Innovation Fund.