Recommendations in new report from Science and Technology Select Committee have potential to “bring about a step-change for early intervention”

Press release: embargo for 00:01, Wednesday 14 November

The House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee is publishing the findings and recommendations of its inquiry into evidence-based early intervention.

Responding to the report, Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive at the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), says:

“We warmly welcome the committee’s report, which sets out an ambitious and timely plan of action to support the provision of effective early intervention support to the children, young people and families who need it most. Together, the recommendations set out in this report have the potential to bring about a step-change for early intervention in England, and the committee is to be commended for issuing an inspiring and far-sighted rallying call.

“EIF has recently set out the case for a 25-year plan for early intervention, on a par with the focus given to similar long-term challenges around housing and the environment, to reflect a much-needed refreshed political commitment. We endorse the committee’s call for a national strategy for early intervention, and look forward to further discussions with departments and agencies across Whitehall to make this ambition a reality.

“The committee has underlined the role of the Early Intervention Foundation as a key partner with central and local government in developing and implementing the national strategy. We stand ready to work with and support national and local partners across the country, and to continue developing our team, resources and expertise to meet the challenge that the committee has laid down.”

Donna Molloy, Director of Policy and Practice at the Early Intervention Foundation, says:

“The committee’s vision for a national early intervention strategy focusing on the evidence-based initiatives that can address childhood adversity is very welcome. The report contains many important recommendations, but we are particularly pleased to see the focus upon ways of supporting delivery of evidence-based early intervention and evaluation of its impact in local places.

“EIF has been working with local places to support them to deliver early intervention since 2013, but of course delivering effective early intervention locally requires sufficient resources. As we have set out recently, what is needed is a long-term investment fund to test the impact of a whole-system approach to early intervention in a small number of areas. Funding is needed for high-quality interventions, wider system changes such as workforce development, and long-term impact monitoring and evaluation. If done properly, this would enable us to take the vitally important step of developing empirical evidence on the impact of place-wide, evidence-based support on population-level outcomes.”

*ENDS

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
• Last month, 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/