Action for Children commissioned the Social Care Institute for Excellence to undertake a study of local authority decision-making in respect of long-term decision making and early intervention services. In particular, the study sought to gain a better understanding of the factors that facilitate and hinder delivery of improved outcomes for children and families over the longer-term, working on the basis that long-term planning and early intervention are inextricably linked.
This report synthesises the data gathered from: a literature review; 30 telephone interviews with senior officers and members in local authorities; and, feedback from 49 subject matter experts attending five regional events. Findings are illustrative rather than statistically significant.