In the July edition of CYP Now: Children's zone, care commissioning special and Tracy Brabin

The zone is a charitable partnership that brings together schools and service providers within a three miles radius of inner west London to better co-ordinate support so children reach their potential.

The Commissioning Care special report looks in depth at the latest developments in policy, practice and research affecting how care services are commissioned by local authorities and their partners. Practice examples include: Independent Fostering Agency South Central Framework; leaving care services at Central Bedfordshire Council; young commissioners project in Newcastle and Gateshead; and the placement triage team in Lancashire.

This month's interview is with shadow early years minister Tracy Brabin, who explains how Labour's plans to expand free childcare would work.

Other articles in the July edition of CYP Now include:

• Children's services - Key findings from LGA research on variation in children's services spending and sector leaders' analysis of the implications
• Social care - Former children's minister Edward Timpson on plans for his new high-profile roles in the sector and the key challenges he faces
• Youth justice - Sector leaders identify problems with new government proposals for secure schools
• Health - Experts call for more research on the impact of using the adverse childhood experiences enquiry tool
• Education - Policymakers need to improve cooking lessons for primary pupils to reduce obesity levels
• Youth work - Detached youth workers must go into cyberspace to engage with vulnerable young people

You can see the full contents of the current edition here

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