The Government can count on members of the Independent Children's Homes Association to co-operate enthusiastically as it implements reforms in the residential child care sector protecting and promoting the interests of vulnerable looked after children. The ICHA has long urged action and sought allies in pursuit of these goals.

A new protocol between Ofsted, police, local authorities and the Office of the Children's Commissioner on sharing information about children's homes gives opportunity to a new good-faith collaboration characterised by transparency.

Going missing can be a symptom of issues in need of attention. A message from the young person has not been picked up, communication has broken down. We need to understand what it is that this young person is telling us now and probably has been trying to tell us for some time.

The Early Intervention Foundation's (EIF) aspiration to end late intervention should be accompanied by research into residential options for children....

Public money is needed in developing early intervention. It is predicated on saving money in the longer term. It needs to be made now.

If we are to succeed in our current rethinking of how we meet the needs of young people in need we should adjust our thinking about children's homes, fostering and adoption.

In every children's homes placement, there are many human factors to consider. Decisions as to how to meet the needs of the young people require experience, knowledge, training and know-how. Looked after children and children's homes deserve the support of their corporate parents, including you and me, engaging in complex public discussion rather than simplistic sensationalism.

It is right that attention has been drawn to things that need fixing in children's homes. There is no complacency in the sector. However, it is quite another thing to say we should have concerns about all children's homes everywhere, or even about their existence at all.

Children's homes can provide the upbringing a young people deserves. Opportunities struggled for and achieved despite a system that actively undermines such success deserves national public recognition. Imagine the self-esteem that would be shared by young people and staff. Imagine the change in public perception.