All the noise is coming from the shallow end

For the umpteenth time in the last few months I have read articles by commentators on the future of children's services that I would describe as coming from the ‘shallow end'. Swimming for leisure formed a significant part of my childhood experience and queuing for the Bovril machine afterwards, only half dried and freezing cold, having failed to heed my mum's warnings about ‘catching your death of cold', was considered a treat.

The thing about the kids who were in the shallow end was they were barely able to do the ‘doggy paddle' and too afraid to wander into the depths of the mid pool, let alone the 15 foot deep end or the high diving boards beyond - they were also very noisy!

So where are the serious swimmers hanging out? Where is the ‘deep end' debate about children's services vision, direction and policy? Well for starters in ADCS!

ADCS through our national policy committees and regional networks brings together the knowledge, expertise and local experiences of colleagues across the country and offers practical and professional advice to ministers and policy makers to secure better outcomes for children, young people and families. We also produce many key policy papers and this year's theme ‘a country that works for all children' sets out a compelling vision from which will flow many policy discussions and debates, but how do we broaden, deepen and lead the debates that are key, with those working within children's services as well as broader policy makers? To have credibility this must include front-line managers and practitioners.

In my mind there are a suite of key issues that warrant significant debate at all levels: