Early intervention is being suffocated by austerity

Early experiences shape later development, and poor early experiences lead to poorer academic and social outcomes. And we are not just talking about the most vulnerable, but those who have to be taken into care because the parenting they receive is not socially acceptable.

The problem, as always, is that the savings are usually many years in the future and in someone else's budget, so making early intervention work has been a major challenge for government. Last week saw the publication of Graham Allen's second report to the Prime Minister, Early Intervention, Smart Investment, Massive Savings. All 150 pages are well-worth reading, but look at the recommendations and the summary if nothing else. Allen's analysis is spot on. He has carefully shaped his report against the current mantra of non-government funding as well as traditional public sector spending. The details could be disputed, but that would be a mistake and dilute Allen's basic message. We all need to get behind the push to put early intervention at the heart of government policy and, specifically, the next spending review.

However, there are some frightening short-term challenges. First, as Allen recognises and we all know, changing the culture in national and local government is no easy task. Second, we are right in the middle of a savage programme of service cuts. Third and worst of all, the government is taking some hugely negative decisions on benefits. The Department for Communities and Local Government itself has admitted that benefits changes will make 40,000 people homeless – and these are families with children. This is a very negative form of early intervention and it will cost more, now and later.

John Freeman CBE is a former director of children's services and is now a freelance consultant Read his blog at cypnow.co.uk/freemansthinking