Early intervention’s bid to end ‘dysfunction’
Britain’s social ills can be tackled by interventions starting right from the moment children are born, a review has found.
Labour backbencher Graham Allen has argued in his initial report, published this morning, that early intervention has the potential to save billions of pounds by ending intergenerational cycles of “dysfunction”.
He calls for existing programmes to be supported and expanded through the establishment of a new body which will drive intervention programmes across the country.
The report states: “If we continue to fail, we will only perpetuate the cycle of wasted potential, low achievement, drink and drug misuse, unintended teenage pregnancy, low work aspirations, anti-social behaviour and lifetimes on benefits, which now typifies millions of lives and is repeated through succeeding generations.”
Interview: Graham Allen’s early intervention panacea
Mr Allen points to scientific research to back up his claim that the most effective steps can be taken before children start school.
He argues the “wiring” of the brain is at its most receptive to change in a person’s early years and argues parents will be willing to receive intensive guidance on parenting to help their children get a better start in life.
“The children of prolific and persistent offenders are most doomed to repeat the cycle – unless you get in early,” Allen told politics.co.uk.
“If you by all these interventions can help create someone who’s going to be a great mother and father [and avoid] all this massive expense of not helping someone become a good father or mother – why would you not do that?”
The report recommends an Early Intervention Foundation which would drive rigorous standards of proof of which programmes work and can make a return for investors.
Mr Allen hopes to attract money from a variety of sources, including the private sector, third sector, philanthropy and local authorities.
Examples include the ‘payment-by-results’ scheme currently being piloted at prisons, where private firms will receive money as reoffending rates from former inmates fall.
Mr Allen’s review, which began its work last summer, focuses on attracting greater external investment by developing and creating new financial instruments – most notably through ‘social impact bonds’.
