First, early intervention demands an integrated workforce. There was talk of a "new frontline", with practitioners needing to think out of their silos and come together to work on the basis of a shared purpose to improve outcomes. But training is necessary to boost the capacity of this workforce. Second,
funding is an enormous challenge. While the benefits of early intervention are far and wide, securing buy-in from other departments and agencies can be a tortuous challenge, although some areas are pooling resources to create community budgets. And scepticism surrounds payment-by-results funding from private investors. Indeed, as we report elsewhere, Essex Council is looking to shoulder the risk of its major outlay in multi-systemic therapy to keep children out of care.
Third, the evidence base for many interventions remains weak or non-existent; but the perseverance of professionals in building relationships with children and families should be key to that evidence. Fourth, while there is desire for charities to do more, expectations of the voluntary sector exceed their
capacity to deliver. Fifth, concern prevails over the government’s health reforms; in particular, the role of clinical commissioning groups and GPs’ ability to make decisions on the basis of children’s wellbeing rather than just clinical knowledge or raw cost.
And sixth, with the Graham Allen report done and dusted, the government needs to show more leadership and clarity of purpose on early intervention, with the Prime Minister holding the reins. It has shown such attributes in its resolve to reform education and welfare; it must apply the same here. The task to intervene early and transform the life chances of a generation will take more than the lifetime of a parliamentary term. But a legacy is there for the making.
Ravi Chandiramani, editor, Children & Young People Now
