Like a piercing, bitter English winter, Chancellor George Osbourne's "autumn statement" was eye-wateringly harsh. It is, without doubt, children and young people growing up in the most deprived households who are being asked to bear the brunt.
For more than a few years it has been blindingly obvious to all of us working in children's services that early intervention and prevention has to be the best way of improving children's lives.
In her inaugural speech as president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services for 2021/22, Charlotte Ramsden said: “Crucially, we need better residential care, with placements that meet children’s actual needs.