Citation

Little M, Axford N, Morpeth L. Child. Soc. 2003; 17(3): 205-214.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, National Children's Bureau of the United Kingdom, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/chi.770

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article reviews developments in children's services since 1997 and considers their effect on children in need by examining government statistics, recent additions to the evidence-base, and data from two studies conducted by the authors. It shows that there has been extensive service development, mainly beyond the Department of Health, and considerable effort to improve assessment and administrative data. The limits to what can be demonstrably achieved by children's services, particularly in a short period, are acknowledged, and it is argued that the approach of providing predominantly low level interventions to large groups may need re-thinking if significant and lasting changes to children's development are to be secured.