GCSE results for disadvantaged children 'greatly improved by Sure Start'

The research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and funded by the Nuffield Foundation focuses on the expansion of the Sure Start programme from 1999 to 2010.

Findings also reveal that Sure Start had a greater positive impact on non-white children, and any children who lived within 2.5 kilometres of a centre until they were five years old performed 0.8 grades better in their GCSEs.

Sure Start was also found to have increased the prevalence of support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at young ages, leading to a need for education, health and care plans at age 16 years old or above decreasing by 9%.

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Additionally, for every £1 the government spent on Sure Start, there were benefits to children worth £1.09 through their school outcomes.

More than two thirds of Sure Start centres have closed during last decade. The government launched its family hubs scheme in 2022, 75 of which have been rolled out in local authorities across England. 

Sarah Cattan, co-author of the research, said: “Back in 2009–10, the government spent a third of the early years budget on Sure Start. Since then, overall early years spending has significantly increased, but spending on Sure Start has dwindled as a result of a clear shift in the government’s early years policy away from integrated early years services and towards the free childcare entitlement.

"The current family hubs initiative aims to join up family support services for children aged 0–18 with less than 5% of what Sure Start received at its peak. It seems unlikely family hubs will be able to go as far in realising the potential that this research shows early years integrated programmes can have for children and their families.”

A poll by CYP Now in February found that 97% of respondents “would like to see a return to Sure Start for children and families”.

The research has led to sector leaders calling for more investment into children's services, specifically those providing early years support.

Niamh Sweeney, deputy general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “The new research is further evidence that early years investment matters. Sure Start Centres gave families the services they need and deserve, enabling them to give their children the best start in life. The results are clear: improved attainment, especially for children from low-income households and early intervention and support for those with SEND.”

Donna Molloy, Foundations’ deputy chief executive, said: “This report provides further evidence affirming the potential of early intervention and effective family support in shaping the trajectory of children’s lives.

“Regardless of the model (be it Sure Start or family hubs), the next government must prioritise three fundamental pillars of early childhood services: carefully designed and adequately funded family support, targeted help for disadvantaged families, and long-term evaluation.” 

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: “While the government’s new programme of family hubs is undoubtedly welcome, with the current rollout limited to 75 local authorities, it’s very difficult to see how the plans will compensate for the sheer scale of children's centre closures that have taken place over recent years. It's clear that extending this programme to ensure that all families, no matter where they live, can access these vital services is a critical first step.”

Meanwhile, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper revealed at the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool last year that the party plans to launch “Sure Start for teenagers” to reduce youth violence and poor mental health, which is backed by former children’s commissioner Anne Longfield.