Better Evidence for a Better Start the social research unit at dartington

Better Evidence for a Better Start Purpose of the project To use the best available science and evidence of what works to underpin your strategy to improve outcomes for children through preventative approaches in pregnancy and the first three years of life

Better Evidence for a Better Start By January 2014 A strategy that Prioritises outcomes Identifies evidence and/or science based activities with a logical impact on outcomes Commits to investment in these activities In the context of robust Governance framework Community engagement Financial arrangements

Better Evidence for a Better Start Phases Engage and commit Build partnership arrangements and collect data Establish a commonly owned strategy

Better Evidence for a Better Start Support and development opportunities Area profile of children’s wellbeing Evidence of what works An analysis of local investments Governance framework Hands-on support and online training resources

Better Evidence for a Better Start Site deliverables Guidance on governance Guidance and support on fund mapping Results of a survey on children’s wellbeing Links to local and national policy drivers

Better Evidence for a Better Start Governance

Better Evidence for a Better Start Governance Governance that ensures that you have shared accountability between public systems Governance that can oversee the implementation of the investment strategy over a 5-10 year period. Area-wide governance Community governance

Better Evidence for a Better Start Governance System change that means Shared accountability for children’s outcomes Shared accountability for a systematic shift in expenditure to prevention and early intervention Engagement of the community in a way that makes a difference to outcomes

Better Evidence for a Better Start Two options Area partnership with community representation Area partnership Community partnership

Better Evidence for a Better Start Fund mapping

Better Evidence for a Better Start Fund mapping Informs strategy development Informs financial planning and coordination Provides the baseline for monitoring the shift in investment over time

Better Evidence for a Better Start How much is invested? What is invested in prevention and early intervention? Is this supporting evidence-based programmes? How much do key categories of services cost? Are there are opportunities to better coordinate programmes and services? Are opportunities to improve commissioning services that have clear outcomes?

Better Evidence for a Better Start Fund mapping process Tailor process to local circumstances Collect the data Analyse data and refine findings Present with the confidence of the finance lead Analysis informs strategy as well as the implementation and financing plans

Better Evidence for a Better Start Wellbeing data

Better Evidence for a Better Start Wellbeing data The results of the survey will provide data on All aspects of health and development of young children Primary risks to health and development as well as protective factors Key developmental outcomes

Better Evidence for a Better Start Key developmental outcomes Are predictive of children’s future health and development Their predictive validity is determined by looking at the empirical data from the world’s best birth cohort studies They are measurable and can assess improvements over time

Better Evidence for a Better Start Key developmental outcomes A health gestation and birth Communication and language development (0-5 yrs) Social and emotional development (0-5 yrs) School readiness & EYFS performance (0-5 yrs) Emotional and behavioural regulation (4-8 yrs) Absence of early onset behavioural problems (4-8 yrs) Obesity and chronic health conditions (2-11 years)

Better Evidence for a Better Start Elevated risks/low protection Pre-natal and infancy (e.g. mother substance use during pregnancy, teen motherhood, nutrition) Within-child (e.g. physical activity, hyperactivity) Family functioning (e.g. parent-child warmth, family conflict) Parent experiences and behaviours (e.g. parent stress, social support) Community and economic (e.g. social cohesion, poverty)

Better Evidence for a Better Start Data on key developmental outcomes

Better Evidence for a Better Start Using the wellbeing profile Prioritise ‘Key Developmental Outcomes’ for intervention Understand the size and characteristics of potential target group populations Use data on risk and protection to give greater specificity in selection of existing evidence-based interventions Use data to guide the design of new services Make realistic estimations about scope for population-level change Baseline for monitoring trends over time

Better Evidence for a Better Start Key aspects of any proposal System change Authentic community engagement Shift to prevention and early intervention Shared accountability for outcomes and investment Evidence-based and/or science-based proposals Commitment for the long-term

Better Evidence for a Better Start