Analysis: Alison Todd, Children 1st

There is no denying we face a difficult time ahead. Every day we read stories about cuts to public services and the impact these will have. Decisions made now about where money is invested could have societal repercussions for many years ahead. It is for this reason that services for children and young people should remain a priority.

Local councils and the Scottish Government are well aware of the importance of providing support as early as possible in order to have the most positive impact for a child. The evidence shows that the earlier help can be provided the less it will cost, both in emotional terms for the child and indeed in financial terms for society over the life of a child into adulthood.

In the "Big Society", it seems that charities will be needed more than ever and the services they provide will help to alleviate the pressure in areas such as social work. However, it is important to recognise that they cannot always serve as a direct replacement, particularly when charities are also struggling to secure funding and maintain services. We are all having to look creatively at our services with a view to providing something different for less, to try to ensure that the most vulnerable children and families can continue to receive the support they desperately need.

This is easier said than done so let's look at practical examples of how this might work. Since 1998, CHILDREN 1ST has pioneered an initiative in Scotland called Family Group Conferencing. This brings members of a child's extended family together to come up with options for their care in cases where they are at risk of abuse or neglect or their parents are unable to care for them due to substance abuse or physical or mental ill health. Family Group Conferencing offers a radically different way of working from traditional social work and is based on the belief that given the right resources and support, most families can make good, safe decisions for their children.

Compare this to foster care or placing a child in secure accommodation. These steps are often put into place when a situation with a child or young person has reached a critical point. Had the situation been identified and addressed at an earlier stage, the child could have possibly remained within the family unit. Not only is this better for this child it is better for the public purse as these days, keeping a child within the system is very expensive.

• Alison Todd is director of policy and practice development at CHILDREN 1ST