The creation of a new government department will achieve a step change in the development of children's services. That was the message from the minister of state for children, young people and families, Beverley Hughes, speaking at the first Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) conference in Manchester last week. Central government, she said, was finally catching up with councils with the creation of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). ‘The creation of the DCSF is an acknowledgement of the progress made so far with children and schools, and a recognition of the support still needed.' She said priorities would now be to raise performance and constantly check where resources were being deployed. The minister also announced the launch of a new ADCS/DCSF protocol, Field Forces. It sets out how local government, the range of advisers and specialists who provide support to councils and schools, would work together. Opening the conference, joint president John Freeman said the recent changes in departmental changes within the Government meant a ‘really exciting time for ADCS'. He said: ‘Children and young people have never had a higher profile in central government.'
