EIF and what works centre boards back merger

Talks over a merger began in May after it was included as a recommendation in the final report of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

The report, published on 23 May, states that “as part of the review’s wider drive to simplify and align how we respond to children supported by social care, we believe there should be a single authoritative what works centre that looks at evidence to support this cohort of children”. 

“In the first instance, we think this would mean integrating the Early Intervention Foundation and What Works for Children’s Social Care where there are very significant overlaps,” it adds.

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In a joint statement published this week, the EIF and WWCSC said that the two boards of trustees have “agreed in principle to join forces to create a single what works centre on children and families covering both early intervention and children’s social care”.

EIF and WWCSC said they will now undertake steps towards the legal merger of the two charities, which is expected to be concluded by spring 2023.

An executive chair will oversee the merger process, and recruitment into this post will begin shortly, the statement added.  

Professor Nick Pearce, chair of the board of trustees of the EIF, said: “We are very pleased to be joining forces with WWCSC. In doing so, we will continue to build on the strong work that EIF has done since it was established nearly 10 years ago. This means championing early intervention across a broad sweep of service areas, reaching out to policy teams and leaders across government and Whitehall, and working to join the dots between national policy and local delivery. 

“Through this merger, we will be able to combine the best of both organisations and ensure there are some vital lines of continuity – making the case for early intervention, conducting high-quality research, understanding the sector and providing effective guidance – running through all our work together.” 

Jenny Coles, chair of the board of trustees of WWCSC, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with EIF to further our reach and ultimately achieve better outcomes for children and families. As a merged organisation there will be greater opportunities to fill evidence gaps by undertaking more ambitious and necessary research into what works. 

“The children’s social care sector is facing seismic change and a single what works centre will be well placed to support reform and create an evidence-based and evidence-generating system that works for everyone. We look forward to pooling expertise with our EIF colleagues and creating an exciting new organisation together.”