Review – early intervention and prevention in schools

1. Report to the Sheffield Schools Forum Meeting 20th March 2014 Paper F Review – early intervention and prevention in schools • Purpose: to review the effectiveness of school based early intervention and preventative strategies and services on child outcomes (attainment, attendance, safety, behaviour and wellbeing) • Focus: the review will explore: • Perspectives (families, schools, services) on the strengths of the current approach and delivery model • Areas of challenge and “barriers to delivery” arising from local intelligence that inhibit a “team around the child” approach • The impact of the continuing reduction in local authority funding for prevention and early intervention and pressure on the overall schools budget – and options for maximising resources • The impact of changes in demand for services, including the implications of increasing numbers of new arrivals and of welfare changes • Potential impact of Government policy changes – particularly Building Successful Families and changes in schools policies on • Options that cover potential areas of service redesign and/or strategic change to ensure sustainable early support for children and families • Methodology • Desk top analysis of the impact of existing approaches on children’s outcomes in Sheffield, including emerging best practice • Review of key national evidence (impact of BEST teams, Darlington research on early intervention e.t.c) • Views from parents and communities (focus groups) • Interviews and fieldwork with schools in different geographic areas led by joint review team involving school and LA representatives and involving key partners including GPs and other relevant health services • Facilitated workshop involving key partners from schools, LA, NHS • Timescale • March to June 2014 • Reports to the School Forum and CWLB Board - September