Welcome to October’s edition of the Cordis Pulse – a monthly digest of key research and policy developments across the sectors in which Cordis Bright provides research and consultancy services, i.e. adult social care and health, children and young people's services, and criminal justice.

This month’s edition of the Cordis Pulse arrives at a pivotal moment for children’s social care. The National Audit Office’s recent report, Managing Children’s Residential Care, highlights deep and growing pressures across the system including rising placement costs, limited local capacity, and persistent challenges in ensuring quality and stability for children and young people with the most complex needs.

At Cordis Bright, we believe these findings underscore the importance of intelligent commissioning, partnership working, and evidence-led decision making. Our recent briefing explores the report’s implications for local authorities, providers, and policymakers, and outlines how tailored, data-driven approaches, rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, can support more sustainable and effective care systems.

We’re also excited to spotlight some work we are currently doing with the Youth Endowment Fund on reducing young people’s involvement in violence: what works in policing. We invite police colleagues from across England and Wales to complete a short survey on what works in reducing children’s involvement in violence. If you work for the police, please click here to complete the survey.

The read the Pulse in full, click on the link below.