Policy Press

Children’s Charities in Crisis

Early Intervention and the State

By Alison Body

Published

Apr 22, 2020

Page count

270 pages

ISBN

978-1447346432

Dimensions

216 x 138 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 22, 2020

Page count

270 pages

ISBN

978-1447346456

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Apr 22, 2020

Page count

270 pages

ISBN

978-1447346456

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Children’s Charities in Crisis

Following a decade of radical change in policy and funding in children’s early intervention services and with the role of the third sector under increased scrutiny, this timely book assesses the shifting interplay between state provision and voluntary organisations delivering intervention for children, young people and their families.

Using 100 voices from the frontline, it provides vivid accounts of the lived experiences of charitable groups and offers crucial insights into the impact of recent social policy decisions on their work.

Telling the story of how the landscape of children’s early intervention services has changed over the last decade, the author highlights important lessons for future policy while demonstrating the immeasurable value of voluntary organisations working in this challenging terrain.

Alison Body is a Lecturer with the Centre for Philanthropy in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent.

Previously, she was a CEO of a leading children’s charity and a lead Commissioning Officer for early intervention services for Kent County Council and has significant experience of working closely with voluntary sector organisations and funders to deliver essential services which achieve maximum impact for children, families and communities.

Introduction

Part 1: Preventative Services and Children’s Charities: Policy and Paradigm Shifts

New Labour, Children’s Services and the Third Sector

Contemporary Preventative Services, Coalitions, and the Conservatives

Part 2: On the Frontline of Early Intervention

The Policy and Service Delivery Field of Early Intervention Services

State Education: The Relationships Between Schools and Charity

Part 3: The Lived Realities of Commissioning Children’s Early Intervention Services

Commissioning Children’s Services: Challenges, Contestation and Crisis

The Changing Role of Children’s Charities Delivering Early Intervention Services

Partnership Working, Securing Advantage and Playing the Game: Thriving, not just surviving

Part 4: Concluding Thoughts

The Action Imperative to Do Things Differently?