This edition includes a number of reports in the children’s services sector that highlight how increased need is being identified in families including in early years, health, schools, safeguarding and criminal justice. Some steps are being taken to address this, such as the Department for Education’s Family Network Pilot.

However, our recently published findings from our Looked After Children (LAC) stress test shows that pressures continue to grow. Our stress test tracks trends in LAC numbers, placement patterns and local authority spending. This year’s analysis highlights variation in reliance on residential care, growing distances between children and their home areas, and increasing spend pressures across many authorities.

We are also pleased to share our latest report, developed in partnership with CFE Research, on the year one impact of the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools Programme. The evaluation shows strong support for a whole-school approach to neurodiversity and provides early insight into how education and health partners can work together to support inclusive practice.