Government response to select committee early intervention report highlights need for leadership and coordination at the national level

Press release: embargo for 00:01, Friday 8 February

The House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee is publishing the Government's response to its inquiry into evidence-based early intervention, which was published in November.

In reaction to the published response, Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive at the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), says:

“The UK needs a bold new vision for early intervention. The select committee’s report and our own report last year on realising the potential of early intervention set out what that could look like. We hope that the government uses the opportunity of the comprehensive spending review to more fully take on board the recommendations set out in the select committee’s report and in our report, to provide the leadership and coordination that we know is required at a national level.

“While we agree with the government that local areas are best-placed to understand the needs of their local communities, this does not diminish the clear need for greater prioritisation and investment for early intervention at the national level. This is not an either/or choice – for the potential of early intervention to be fully realised, it will take both local decision-making and national leadership.

"This matters. The evidence shows that early intervention can work to improve children’s mental health, physical health and school achievement, and to reduce involvement in crime and antisocial behaviour. Too many children in England need this support but don’t receive it.”

Contact:

Mark Ballinger
Head of Communications, EIF
E: mark.ballinger@eif.org.uk
T: 020 3542 2481 (switchboard)

Notes:

• The Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) is an independent charity that champions and supports the use of effective early intervention to improve the lives of children and young people at risk of experiencing negative outcomes. For more information, see: www.eif.org.uk
• In October 2018, the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) published Realising the potential of early intervention, a major report outlining the key barriers to be overcome and changes to be made at national and local level, to ensure effective early intervention is available for the children and families who need it most. Available at: https://www.eif.org.uk/reports/realising-the-potential-of-early-intervention
• More information about the Science and Technology Select Committee’s inquiry and report is available at: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/evidence-based-early-years-intervention-17-19/