Children's services is among the most challenging areas for local government. Demand for services has risen immensely, as have costs; cases can often be complex and when mistakes are made the impact can be devastating.
Yet the rewards for the sector are immense, regardless of whether they're visible to the wider community. Supporting children and young people who have often had troubled starts in life to overcome significant personal difficulties and to lead fulfilling lives is a moral obligation for our sector. The same can be said about work to help families escape problems to be stronger, happier and more cohesive.