The essence of good children's services is understanding the world from the child's point of view. In Essex, we've just completed a major research project – Childhood in Essex – that takes a deep and honest look at what it's like to grow up in our county today. We've listened to more than 150 children, young people, parents, and professionals to explore how childhood has changed, what matters to them, and how we as leaders and practitioners should respond.

What we heard was powerful.