Goodwill's wider brief can join up child policy

It often results in government departments making policies that contradict rather than complement that of others. Policies affecting children and families are no different. The introduction of the National Living Wage in April 2016 has raised staff costs for early years providers at the same time they are preparing to introduce 30 hours of free childcare. The problem is that the rate paid by government to the provider doesn't cover their rising costs - half that took part in pilots reported a fall in profit (News roundup, p4) - so many providers plan not to offer 30 hours.

Department for Education ministers will regularly call for greater investment in early help services so that vulnerable children and families can be supported before problems escalate. Yet government funding cuts mean the very services there to deliver that early help - children's centres, health visitors and parenting support - are withering.