Graham Allen review into Early Intervention identifies evidence-based programmes

MP for Nottingham North, Graham Allen, has led a government review on Early Intervention that bases its recommendations around an evidence-based approach to children's services and early intervention.

The report, Early Intervention: Next Steps, recommends that nineteen early intervention programmes with rigorous evidence of effectiveness should be supported and expanded, tackling issues such as early literacy, parenting and drug/alcohol abuse.

The interim findings of the review also recommend the creation of fifteen local "Early Intervention Places" that would champion early intervention and the development of evidence-based practices. These local centres should be supported by an independent Early Intervention Foundation, which would expand and improve the provision for Early Intervention across the UK, whilst increasing the evidence available around effective programmes.

A strength of Allen’s approach is the support he has carried from all the main political parties. The review carries messages of support from the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. There is also backing from chief executives of the largest local authorities in the country and from the business community.

Sally Copley, UK head of policy at Save the Children, welcomed the report, saying, "This is an extremely important moment for children living in poverty up and down the country, as Graham Allen’s review sets out what is best practice in the field of family and parenting programmes."

"We know from our own experience in running our Families and Schools Together pilots in areas such as London, Manchester, Scotland and Wales that they dramatically transform the life chances of children from the poorest backgrounds and help close the shocking educational achievement gap between rich and poor families. But as well as this review championing what works best, it is now crucial that the government identifies how these programmes will be funded to ensure children from poorer backgrounds are no longer disadvantaged."