Tina Marie Hahn, MD posted:

Im curious how to you think UK’s move towards austerity will affect your 70/30 efforts?   We  always see child abuse increase when families don’t have enough resources to meet basic needs.

I remain optimistic.  70/30 has a live case study ongoing at present which is demonstrating ways of working and outcomes, including cost reduction opportunities.  With austerity showing no signs of abating, and with local councils desperate to make further savings where possible, whilst improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities, I do hold hope (the environment is right!).   

From years working in a local council where much talk (rhetoric!) was of 'joined up thinking' 'pooled resource' ' multi-agency approaches' 'interagency working'  I noted it often failed as each 'agent' actually had its own agenda that didn't quite fit with its peers despite the talk and theory.  Ultimately each had its own ego/s who held on to their own visions (pay and status) and didn't quite embrace the discussed ideology.  

For me the 70/30 campaign truly shows great promise - it's national, non-politically motivated (so can garner cross-party support) and really is the bigger picture - its bigger than the ideas of the egos with their own 'service aims'!  If the smaller agents can be persuaded this campaign could eclipse all previous efforts to truly work toward this goal.  Having it national will pull agencies into a bigger arena than just local politicking - that's what I think will make the difference.

Regarding increases in child abuse in the face of lack of basic resource, again I hold hope that this being embraced cross political party with evidence coming forth from all directions will pull this situation into the limelight and encourage humanity to acknowledge and address this very real issue.

Im curious how to you think UK’s move towards austerity will affect your 70/30 efforts?   We  always see child abuse increase when families don’t have enough resources to meet basic needs.