Shared service savings must not be at children's expense

While some areas might go the whole way and merge entire departments - such as the "tri-borough" pact between Hammersmith, Kensington and Westminster – others look to more modest arrangements. That could mean merging and streamlining back-office functions. Or it could increase the trend where several councils join forces to use their buying power and commission services together. As well as more cross-council collaboration, the survey points to less council delivery: 70 per cent of decision-makers expect 40 per cent of services to be commissioned out.

These are turbulent times. Big changes provide an opportunity to rethink practices and improve services. But many decisions are based on raw price: 90 per cent in the survey said 40 per cent of decisions are cost-led. The reshaping of children's services continues apace. The challenge will be to ensure strong leadership, clarity of accountability and, of course, outcomes for children. That's the real bottom line.