NOW here’s a radical idea: the earlier the parents of vulnerable children get the support they need to improve their children’s lives, the better.

It is the old “a stitch in time saves nine” strategy - but this time applied to children in need.

The problem has always been in identifying families that need help, what support they require, and how best that can be provided.

A new “early help strategy” for York developed by the safeguarding children board and children’s trust YorOK aims to set out exactly how agencies in the city should work together to achieve those aims.

It is very timely. Just yesterday, child health statistics published nationally revealed that while on many measures, youngsters in York are doing well, there are still almost 4,000 children in the city living below the poverty line.

York also has a problem with teenagers and young people who self-harm. Almost 200 York 10-24 year-olds needed hospital treatment in 2012/13 as a result of self-harming – significantly worse than the national average.

One young mother talks today about how getting the right support when she was depressed has turned her life – and so potentially that of her baby – around. She joined a local baby group, and met an outreach worker who suggested she take family learning courses. She is now taking a degree in children, young people and families at York College.

We need more targeted interventions like this to help children escape the trap of poverty and lack of opportunity. Hopefully, this new strategy will make that possible.