Press note: Early Intervention CEO comments on 'Manifesto for Strengthening Families'

Statement: for immediate release

Commenting on today's launch of a 'Manifesto for Strengthening Families' by a group of MPs and peers, Jo Casebourne, chief executive of the Early Intervention Foundation, an independent charity that champions and supports the use of effective early intervention to improve the lives of children, young people and their families, says:

“We welcome the spotlight this manifesto shines on the impact that the quality of the relationship between parents has on their children’s wellbeing. The evidence is clear that a child’s mental health and long-term life chances are at risk if they are growing up with parents engaged in frequent, intense and poorly resolved conflict, regardless of whether their parents are together or separated.

“In these kinds of situation, boosting children’s long-term wellbeing means that parental conflict needs to be addressed as part of wider early intervention efforts.

“We share the ambition to ensure that parental relationship support is an accessible part of local services, so that couples are able to get help early.”

*ENDS

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, young people and their families, reduce hardship and improve value for money in the long run. As a member of the What Works network, EIF is dedicated to expanding and communicating the evidence base related to early intervention in the UK. For more information, see: http://www.eif.org.uk/
• For more information on the impact of the relationship between parents, see EIF's 2017 report, Interparental relationships, conflict and the impacts of poverty: An overview: http://www.eif.org.uk/publication/interparental-relationships-conflict-and-the-impacts-of-poverty-an-overview/

Contact:

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