Writing in late 2019, it can feel as if government policies are largely driven by dogma. The checks and balances that normally contribute to good policy formation seem far away. The role of evidence, the input of professional civil servants, the balancing views of key elements of civil society – none of these seem visible. However, it is important to remember that it was not always like this – and, indeed, that, even today, much policy is still being filtered through the proper processes before bursting into government implementation.

Back in 1989, the Children Act provided a textbook example of how effective policy can be developed. A group of civil servants with profound understanding of their topic were willing to engage openly and directly with those key agencies who were working with the issues that children faced. Local authorities were deeply involved, and so too were a plethora of voluntary organisations. Debates were open and honest; research evidence was commissioned and studied; children and families were consulted. The result was an Act that has stood the test of time and still provides the backbone to our systems for keeping children safe, delivered by a Conservative government under Secretary of State Ken Clarke.

Carl Purcell has illuminated the processes that have been followed over the last two decades as children's policies have developed. He has dug under the surface to challenge what can become lazy assumptions as to why a particular policy emerged. His key conclusion that the big changes in policy were not directly due to the more famous child abuse scandals of the age (Victoria Climbié and Baby Peter) is, I think, correct. So too is his conclusion that current policy has swerved away from the ‘child welfare’ approach that was promoted by Labour, towards a more restrictive ‘child protection’ approach.

For those of us engaged in children's services, the period from 2000 to 2010 was a fruitful time. The favourable financial climate played a huge part – it is so much easier to be innovative and bold when there is increased funding every year (until 2008 at least). There were several examples of policymaking at its best. Sure Start was conceived by a great civil servant, Norman Glass, in response to a clear policy direction set out by Gordon Brown and his colleagues.