I usually don't mind devoting time to media work, feeling convinced we must repeatedly explain rather than bury our heads and stay quiet behind excuses of complexity or confidentiality. But last week took up the best part of two days in interviews and press briefings, which in turn shunted more work into family time. And I wouldn't whinge, but amid the current, deliberately misleading "child snatching" garbage stories, you do wonder if it's worth bothering.
TUESDAY - Publication of the Lifting the Burdens Task Force report. The purpose of the task force is to help redefine relations between central and local government.
The report tries to tread a line between pressing for change, and building on developing positive relations between the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and Ofsted. We shall see what it achieves.
WEDNESDAY - And so to the sublime. A fundraising evening with two Hampshire secondary schools in a local jazz club. Portchester School has a superb jazz band - including a singer whose voice would make Madeleine Peyroux sit up. Brookfield has a steel drum band - the likes of which I've never encountered.
The teachers and students are working with schools in South Africa so the South African High Commissioner has come to listen. She tells them they're stretching hands of peace across continents. Sometimes the director's job is to shut-up, sit back and wonder at our young people.
THURSDAY - I'm with the management team in Hampshire. Involved in a delicate negotiation led by our cabinet and involving an army of partners to finalise the local area agreement.
The evening is spent with the ADCS council and top-level support from the DCSF. It's our first, fully-fledged policy setting event.
FRIDAY - So, our young people are inspiring, local area agreements are near completion and the ADCS is up and away. Even the child-snatcher-scaremongers are quiet. Optimism abounds and Birmingham are away to West Ham tomorrow. Easy points...
John Coughlan is joint president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services and director of children's services at Hampshire County Council.
