In its response to consultation on Every Child Matters, the institute said several issues hadn't been fully addressed, such as "what needs to be integrated and how" and "which budgets need to be pooled". It wants an "incremental approach" and said legislation should be framed in a way that "allows for learning and experimentation".
The institute also said the introduction of more integrated children's services should demonstrate a clear purpose, be co-operative and flexible, and focus on practice as well as structure. There must be an effort to "establish a culture of mutual learning that encourages the spread of knowledge".
Although the green paper acknowledged the effects of parents' difficulties on their children, and specified domestic violence, imprisonment and poverty, the institute said it made "little mention" of mental health, drug or alcohol problems.
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