Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove has publicly stated there is a desperate need for a department at the heart of government championing the cause of education.
Speaking to CYP Now, Balls said any move to break up the existing arrangement would be a "really big step backwards" and would affect prevention work and the ability to tackle youth crime.
"Every Child Matters has had a big difference nationally and I am disappointed the Conservatives are not supporting it," he said. "I sometimes feel their approach is every other child matters."
Liberal Democrat children's spokesman David Laws has described splitting the DCSF as "an open question" that needs to be returned to after the election.
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