There is a lot of research into the role children's centres play in improving outcomes for disadvantaged families. However, researchers from the University of Nottingham were keen to investigate centres' role in preventing injuries to under-fives, an area not previously analysed. Previous research has found injuries disproportionately affect children from low-income families.
New Joint Targeted Area Inspections to assess how different agencies are working together to support vulnerable children have just been launched. Joe Lepper explores how they work.
All children's services teams face the challenge of keeping staff turnover low against a landscape of tight budgets, so it is essential employers master the skills to retain, motivate and reward employees.
The NSPCC has analysed findings from hundreds of serious case reviews to assess key lessons for safeguarding practice. Here is a summary of the learnings for practice when working with deaf and disabled children.
A new social work practice model, low caseloads and joined-up services have helped two of the three councils in a merged children's services department become the first to be judged "outstanding" by Ofsted's inspection system.
The importance of strong attachments from early childhood - and of tackling the damage caused by neglect where these attachments are lacking - is seeing greater recognition in both policy and practice.
On 17 September 2015, the Scottish Parliament passed the British Sign Language (BSL) Bill. The public gallery was packed with Deaf BSL users, many of whom had been banned from signing as children and forced to lip read. It had been a long, hard battle and it was difficult for many to hold back the tears and keep their emotions at bay.
A record number of care applications were made in February, but experts differ over whether this is a sign of better child protection practice, the result of cuts to early help services or rising levels of poverty.
If children's services are to deliver improved outcomes with declining resources, the sector must embrace technology, joint working and volunteers, says Pillars and Foundations, a radical paper from the ADCS.
An Ofsted report highlights the importance of schools and councils sharing information about excluded pupils with alternative providers, but experts warn the fragmentation of the education system has made this more difficult.