Schools Secretary Ed Balls has called for more training for directors of children’s services in light of the Baby P case. He considers they have focused too much on schools and not on social services. But he misses the point that the people being promoted to these jobs lack the operational experience needed to know what is going on beneath them. Most have dodged the sharp end as soon as possible and progressed by “talking a good job”, using as much management jargon as possible. There is no substitute for experience. Unfortunately, we are now paying the price.

Bob Miller, Chelmsford, Essex.