Ask the Experts: Consult on early years services

I want to consult children, young people and families on plans to re-shape early years services to create a more integrated offer. How do I ensure this is meaningful?

Colin Green: Be clear about your aims. If you are hoping to save money and ensure the reduced budget has the greatest impact, then be upfront about this. You also need to be clear on what integrated means - is this just about the early years services provided and commissioned by the council or are all schools, nurseries and childminders part of the vision? Does it include the NHS?

The consultation needs to have two strands. Use of a Survey Monkey-type tool is a relatively cheap and easy way to get a range of views quickly. Care needs to be taken with design so you get useful responses and to ensure it is simple and quick to complete.

Next, organise focus groups or interviews with parents, including as family groups with children. This can help you develop a deeper understanding of what they value and what will make a difference.

Finally, consider how to get feedback from children, who know what they like and do not like and are well able to express what means the most to them.

Colin Green has been a social work practitioner, manager and leader, including director of children's services, in six local authorities

The Black Lives Matter movement has inspired members of our youth group to launch their own protest. They have limited understanding of the issues so I am not sure we should support this. Any advice?

Tracie Trimmer-Platman: Help them explore the Black Lives Matter movement in more detail so they understand the background and context. Both the US and UK have a history of poor relationships between young Black people and the police and there is a great deal of material - historical, political and social - for you to look at.

This will help members clarify their thinking and identify campaigns to support. Young people should be encouraged to get involved, have their voices heard and make a difference, although protesting is not always the best way to do this. You could link them up to a youth group in the US and host an online debate. Also contact Black Lives Matter and see what they offer to groups like yours.

Tracie Trimmer-Platman is senior lecturer in youth and community work at the University of East Londo

I am working with a family that was subjected to domestic abuse by the father. The perpetrator has left home and a safety plan put in place alongside a non-molestation order. The family seem to have been left to get on with life and I am not sure they are managing. How can I help?

Jeanie Lynch: It sounds like this family could do with some multi-agency support to help them cope with the impact of the abuse - perhaps some home support, counselling for mum, and, if possible, a perpetrator programme for dad. Are the children on a child in need plan? Has a Common Assessment Framework assessment or team around the child/family meeting taken place?

There will be local support agencies that can join together to ensure the whole family is supported on an emotional and practical basis. Contact your local children's services department and your nearest domestic abuse service to find out what is available.

Jeanie Lynch has more than 20 years' experience working as a senior manager developing support for vulnerable children and young people

How can my staff support self-regulation among young children at my nursery?

June O'Sullivan: Self-regulation is the means by which a child learns to check themselves and manage their emotions. It is important when it comes to making friends, perseverance and concentration and coping with life's stresses. Staff and parents need to work together to support children to develop this.

Self-regulation is much easier when you can articulate how you feel and it's something children less able to express themselves can struggle with. An understanding of child development is vital to assess whether behaviour is appropriate. Adults also need to understand the different factors that may upset individual children.

Children benefit from a routine designed to create stability and order and reduce unnecessary stress. Adults need to stay calm, set consistent but realistic boundaries and use techniques such as distraction to help children gain back control of themselves. Regular breaks are important as tiredness does not help.

June O'Sullivan is chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation