Some local authorities have combined the functions of director of children's services with those of other top-tier managers. Joe Lepper explores the benefits and potential pitfalls of different approaches.
Children's services leaders gathered at CYP Now's Early Help Conference to discuss latest policy developments in early help and hear how local areas are developing interventions across a range of settings and age groups.
Children's services directors have developed regional models to improve services that draw on their collective strengths to tackle areas of weakness, and which could help prevent critical Ofsted inspection judgments.
When it comes to identifying priorities for improving children's services, it is understandable that many of us turn our attention to the issues that are the focus of our daily professional lives.