Children’s Services Policy Early Years & Getting it Right for Every Child

Why?  The early years set a large part of the pattern of an individual’s future life  If we can improve them, we can begin to address inequalities.  Backed up by research from a number of academic fields.  Ensuring children and families get the help they need, when they need it.

Evidence  Dr Bruce Perry – neuroscientific evidence on brain development  EPPE Study –  CMO’s report 2007  The Foundation Years - Frank Field – 2010  Early Intervention - Graham Allen – 2010  Joining the Dots – Report from Professor Susan Deacon  Scottish Government economic modelling (Nov 2010)

Scottish Government Commitments Further develop the highly successful PlayTalkRead campaign. Continue to roll out the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme across Scotland. Create an early years task force. Commitment to preventative spend. Ensure that every council in Scotland reflects this agenda in its Single Outcome Agreement.

Scottish Government Commitments (Contd)  Develop a national parenting strategy.  Put childcare at the centre of our ambition for families in Scotland.  Invest in an Early Years change fund (covering a range of activity including family centres).  Develop legislation to support our early years policies and ensure that the Getting it right for every child approach is developed nationwide.

National Parenting Strategy Why? Supporting parents key to improving outcomes for children and young people Building resilience, capacity and confidence of parents Value and importance of parenting Relevance to a wide range of outcomes Fundamental to early intervention/preventative spend Key role for partners– what are the opportunities and challenges?

Likely scope of parenting strategy All parents (not just vulnerable families) All those in parental role (including the corporate parent) Parenting of children of all ages Address issues which can impact on parenting Specific focus on fathers Building on GIRFEC principles/indicators

A phased approach? Phase I (2011/12) Overarching national strategy Phase II (2012/13) Aligning local outcomes with national strategy Phase III (April 2013 onwards) (Age-specific) outputs for parents

The overarching strategy (yr 1) Ambitious and aspirational, setting out a compelling narrative for parenting support Demonstrate relevance/contribution to a wide range of national outcomes Provide an overview of national policies and initiatives which support parenting Provide a context for local delivery Set out the ‘offer to parents’

National approach must: Have credibility and coherence from a delivery perspective Reflect and respect local variation Complement good work already underway locally Support local delivery Encourage provision of consistent, high- quality parenting support across Scotland

Early Learning and Childcare Committed to continued expansion of early learning and childcare provision, Focusing our initial efforts on those from the most deprived backgrounds Purpose –enhance development of child’s learning –break cycles of poverty –support parents

Early Learning and Childcare Key challenges:  choice;  quality;  accessibility;  affordability positive home learning environment and role of parents is vital Long term focus on the child’s outcomes.

Going forward Work with partners to: Increase capacity, range and flexibility of provision Improve the quality of provision –support parenting and links with helping families –access to teachers and professional staff Develop steps to make early learning and childcare accessible and affordable for all Work with business to: Promote and support early learning and childcare for employees Implement family friendly policies

Change fund Designed to Improve Outcomes, Deliver Reform and Reduce Costs by:  Providing a focus on the Early Years and Early Intervention.  Effecting Transformational change and making the shift to preventative spend.  Delivering effective early intervention for children and families using evidence based approaches.  Developing individual, family and community capacity.  Driving out cost savings by reducing need for acute services.

Change Fund Size, scale and scope still to be determined To be considered –What? –Who? –How? –How to measure? Need to engage with partners to develop the work programme

Legislation To support our early years policies and ensure that the Getting it right for every child approach is developed nationwide. Opportunity to consider later how delivery may be better supported by legislative options and where legislation may be inappropriate.

Conclusion How can we collectively develop these areas? Further opportunities for dialogue in the coming weeks and months. Specific events and consultation, but also contact the team direct: