about the champions for children series
	These are short, peer-reviewed research briefings, addressing the specific interests and needs of elected local and national representatives. Each briefing outlines the importance of an issue, the key research findings,the policyframeworks most likely to support improved outcomes for children, some evaluated practice examples, key questions for councillors to ask their senior officers, and sources of more information and help. They are published in print and on the web and are distributed in partnership with the Local Government Association and funded by the Nuffield Foundation. The primary audience is (local authority) Cabinet Members with responsibilities for children and family services and Scrutiny Panel members with the same responsibilities.
	Research knowledge is not the only knowledge that must be acquired by elected policy makers. It is just one part of the evidence jigsaw, which in itself is just one weight on the decision balance. Other ingredients in the balance include community expectations, resource availability, policy makers' own 'practice' expertise and wider political imperatives. This series seeks to fill a gap in the ingredients and not to replace any vital ingredient.

	the peer review process
	Each draft research briefing is peer-reviewed by a range of researchers (in academic and service settings), councillors and senior local authority officers. Comments from reviewers are passed in full to the author along with guidance comments. In some cases, the second draft research briefing may be sent out for further review.
	Details of the peer reviewers for each issue can be found by clicking the 'peer reviewers' button on the champions for children details page.

	about the author: Mary Ryan
	Mary Ryan works as an independent consultant, researcher, writer and trainer for a range of statutory and non-governmental organisations concerned with children and families and social care. She has written widely on child care law and practice issues. She worked for fourteen years as legal adviser and then co-director of a national NGO, enabling families to have a voice in decisions made by social services departments and the courts about their children. She is an associate of the National Children's Bureau and Young Minds and a founder member of RTB Associates:
	Visit the RTB Associates website (opens in a new window)

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