research in practice

Refocusing here refers to seeking a better balance between prevention and early intervention services aimed at averting problems in the first place and treatment and social prevention intended to remedy serious difficulties once they arise. In the present context, there is a focus on services being 'needs-led' instead of requiring children and families in difficulty to adapt to available provision. The Children Act 2004 stresses providing services for all children and orients provision towards the ECM five outcomes, placing 'prevention of problems of well-being for children at the heart of future refocusing'