Earlier this year, we set out to gather insights from key sectors we support. Our research team travelled across the UK, engaging with grant holders, organisations working in this area and local authorities to better understand the current state of Parenting and Early Years services.
We conducted a literature review, in-person interviews, surveyed our grant holders and engaged with sector experts including academics and fellow funders.
While this research wasn’t exhaustive (and we will keep going to further develop our understanding) it does provide a snapshot of the Parenting and Early Years space. Our goal was to identify challenges and possible solutions while also reflecting on our own funding priorities and how we can have maximum impact in this area.
Below are some initial findings from this research. Early Years is a priority area for The Henry Smith Charity. We will be launching our new strategy next spring and in the run up to this we’ll be publishing more about our research and future plans.
Highlights from the research
- Our research supports preventative, early intervention services as critical for preventing families moving into crisis, but services have been cut significantly
- Organisations operating in this space are critical to relieving pressures on statutory services working with high-needs groups
- Preventative work can be less intensive but demonstrates outsized impact for lower investment
- Community-rooted organisations are crucial first engagement points for families in need and can open them to more targeted support
- Development of a joined-up third sector and governmental approach are needed to achieve better outcomes for families
Early intervention coupled with adequate funding and support for holistic, integrated care services is called for and required by the sector to create meaningful outcomes for families and children.
The early years of life, particularly the first 1,001 days, are critical for a child’s development.
Our work in the Parenting and Early Years sector
The early years of life, particularly the first 1,001 days, are critical for a child’s development. Cognitive, social, physical, emotional and language development during this period are strong predictors of future outcomes.[1]
If left unaddressed, inequalities in early childhood can become entrenched. One of the most significant drivers of poor development is inequality in parent-child relationships[2] and the home learning environment, often made worse by poverty.[3] [4]
At The Henry Smith Charity we’ve long been committed to funding work that supports parents and improves the lives of young children, most recently through our Improving Lives programme. Our current Early Years portfolio is made up of grants with a total value of £13.4m, and we fund organisations providing a range of support services to families up and down the country.
We support work in this area because research shows that investing in Early Years delivers significant long-term benefits for people, and that the earlier you intervene the bigger the long-term benefits.[5]
The Charitable Funding Landscape in Early Years
Despite the evidence supporting early intervention, funding for this sector remains limited. The Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that only 6% of philanthropic funding for children & young people goes to the 0-5 age group. Government spending on Early Years in the UK is also low compared to similar economies.[6]
Research from Sheffield Hallam University supports this, showing that fewer than 9,000 charities work with young children (with a collective income of £1.6bn) in contrast to the almost 27,000 charities working with children aged 5-13 (£13.4bn). [7]
High and growing needs in Early Years provision are set against reduced government funding and a shift towards crisis interventions.
Challenges in Statutory Provision
High and growing needs in Early Years provision are set against reduced government funding and a shift towards crisis interventions. Between 2010 and 2020, local authority spending fell from £3.6bn to £1.8bn and central government funding to councils fell by 24%.[8] This has disproportionately impacted low-income families. [9]
Some of the key challenges in Early Years services include:
- Closure of early help centres and services
- Increased demand for services
- Lack of a coherent national strategy for improving young children’s outcomes
- Policy differences across the UK
- High costs and limited availability of childcare and Early Learning services
Despite budget increases, funding for three- and four-year-olds’ in 2024–25 is estimated to have reduced by 11% in real terms since 2012. [10] And, while childcare funding for under-twos has increased, freezes on eligibility criteria have reduced access overall.
Finally, local authority provision across England is highly variable with ineffective oversight mechanisms for the government to monitor what local authorities are delivering. The 1001 Days Movement (a sector coalition) has called for a comprehensive cross-government strategy to align efforts towards common outcomes. [11]
Socioeconomic Challenges
Poverty has a profound effect on a parent’s ability to support their children.[12] Currently, 31% of families with children aged 0-4 live in poverty due to high childcare costs, low pay, increasing living costs and inadequate social security. [13] [14] The cost-of-living crisis has only worsened this, with a record number of households relying on food and baby banks.[15]
Certain communities face particularly stark disadvantages. In 2021, around half of families with Pakistani (51%) and Bangladeshi (53%) backgrounds and 42% of households with Black African backgrounds lived in poverty. [16] Families with children who have special education needs and disabilities (SEND) are also disproportionately affected. [17] Other at-risk groups include families with no recourse to public funds and children facing abuse.
Development, Health and Wellbeing
The COVID-19 pandemic had a lasting impact on children’s development, with many experiencing setbacks in emotional and social development. Lockdowns also increased parental isolation [18] [19] and negatively affected children’s personal and social development.
Children’s health outcomes have also worsened. For example, nearly a quarter of five-year-olds in England suffer from tooth decay, and infant mortality rates have risen in the poorest areas. In 2022, 1 in 5 children fell short of their early learning and nutritional goals. [20]
Successful interventions are often those tailored to meet the specific needs of local families.
Effective interventions
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for improving outcomes in Early Years. Successful interventions are often those tailored to meet the specific needs of local families. [21] Holistic family support, community-based early interventions, and wraparound services are shown to improve child development, health and wellbeing. [22] [23] [24] [25]
Funding Opportunities
There is a pressing need for investment in early intervention services. Some areas that particularly stood out during our research include:
- Community-led, Family Groups. Playgroups, parental support groups and informal childcare, especially in deprived and rural settings, help to reduce stigma and provide access to wider support [26]
- Family Hubs and Universal Services. The closure of many children’s centres has been a ‘missed opportunity’ to provide accessible, holistic support [27] [28]
- Specialist support for children with SEND. Peer support is critical to help families navigate a complex statutory system [29]
- Specialised Educational Support and Therapy. Early intervention in speech and language difficulties can help prevent long-term educational and employment challenges [30]
- Trauma-informed interventions. Early trauma interventions, particularly through parent-child relationships can mitigate long-term psychological impacts. [31]
- Local partnerships: Integrated support services connecting different Early Years activities including statutory services and health professionals; third sector organisations; community groups; can offer more comprehensive support [32]
- Research and Advocacy: Continued research and advocacy are essential to build the evidence base and influence policy changes, such as expanding free school meals and reforming childcare provision
Conclusion
A focus on early intervention backed by adequate funding and support is essential to create meaningful outcomes for families and children.
The Henry Smith Charity will continue to fund this area of work, with a focus on narrowing the attainment gap for children aged 0-5 growing up in social and economic exclusion and poverty, building the foundations for them to thrive. There is a clear need for increased coordination across the Early Years sector, both within the third sector and between government bodies.
[1] http://www.supersonicplayground.com. (2018). Funding a good start: Philanthropy and the early years sector – NPC. Think NPC. https://www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub/funding-a-good-start-philanthropy-and-the-early-years-sector-in-the-uk/
[2] Education in England: Annual Report 2018 – Education Policy Institute. (2018). Education Policy Institute. https://epi.org.uk/publications-and-research/annual-report-2018/
[3] Marmot, M. (2010). Fair society, healthy lives the marmot review. https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/fair-society-healthy-lives-full-report.pdf
[4] http://www.supersonicplayground.com. (2024). Closing the gap – NPC. Think NPC. https://www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub/closing-the-gap/
[5] Allen, G. (2011). Early Intervention: The Next Steps An Independent Report to Her Majesty’s Government. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b837d40f0b645ba3c4d09/early-intervention-next-steps2.pdf
[6] Early years spending update: Budget reforms and beyond. (2023, September 26). Institute for Fiscal Studies. https://ifs.org.uk/publications/early-years-spending-update-budget-reforms-and-beyond
[7] Outputs – UK Charity Classification. (n.d.). Charityclassification.org.uk. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://charityclassification.org.uk/data/outputs/
[8] National Children’s Bureau. (2021, July 14). Councils Forced to Halve Spending on Early Help Services for Vulnerable Children. National Children’s Bureau. https://www.ncb.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/news-opinion/councils-forced-halve-spending-early-help
[9] Evidence Briefs – Parent-Infant Foundation. (n.d.). Https://Parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/. https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/1001-days/resources/evidence-briefs/
[10] Ibid.
[11] First 1001 Days Manifesto for Babies. (n.d.). Https://Parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/. https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/1001-days/manifesto/
[12] Stephen, C. (2014). Intervening to make a difference to the lives of children from birth to three: A review of international evidence, School of Education, University of Stirling.
[13] UK Poverty 2024: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK | Joseph Rowntree Foundation. (2024, January 23). Www.jrf.org.uk. https://www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-2024-the-essential-guide-to-understanding-poverty-in-the-uk
[14] Causes of poverty | CPAG. (2023, December 14). Cpag.org.uk. https://cpag.org.uk/child-poverty/causes-poverty
[15] Bryant, M., & Ungoed-Thomas, J. (2023, February 19). Revealed: record number of households in UK depending on food banks. The Observer. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/feb/19/record-number-of-uk-households-depending-on-food-banks
[16] UK Poverty 2024: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK | Joseph Rowntree Foundation. (2024, January 23). Www.jrf.org.uk. https://www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-2024-the-essential-guide-to-understanding-poverty-in-the-uk
[17] Closing the Gap. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://npproduction.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Closing-the-Gap-1.pdf
[18] New First 1001 Days report highlights the ongoing impact for babies born during the COVID pandemic – Parent-Infant Foundation. (n.d.). Https://Parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/. https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/new-first-1001-days-report-highlights-the-ongoing-impact-for-babies-born-during-the-covid-pandemic/
[19] Author interviews with Thrive at Five, Home-start and A Better Start Bradford.
[20] Child health. (n.d.). Acmedsci.ac.uk. https://acmedsci.ac.uk/policy/policy-projects/child-health
[21] Sutton Trust Interview; Parental Engagement Fund. (n.d.). Sutton Trust. https://www.suttontrust.com/our-research/parental-engagement-fund/
[22] Sutton Trust Interview; Parental Engagement Fund. (n.d.). Sutton Trust. https://www.suttontrust.com/our-research/parental-engagement-fund/
[23] Author interview with Home-start Cymru; Early Years Scotland and Grant Holder Surveys
[24] Supporting documents. (n.d.). www.gov.scot. https://www.gov.scot/publications/rapid-review-literature-whole-family-approach/documents/
[25] Scottish Government. (2022). Keeping Families Together Through Whole Family Support And Support for Our Care Experienced Children, Young People and Adults. www.gov.scot. https://www.gov.scot/publications/keeping-promise-implementation-plan/pages/5/
[26] Levelling up for 0-5s: the potential of baby and toddler groups. (n.d.). Action for Children. https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/blog/levelling-up-for-0-5s-the-potential-of-baby-and-toddler-groups/
[27] Institute for Fiscal Studies. (n.d.). The health impacts of Sure Start. Institute for Fiscal Studies. https://ifs.org.uk/publications/health-impacts-sure-start
[28] The short- and medium-term impacts of Sure Start on educational outcomes. (2024, April 9). Institute for Fiscal Studies. https://ifs.org.uk/publications/short-and-medium-term-impacts-sure-start-educational-outcomes
[29] Ofsted report misrepresents the main problems facing the SEND system | Disability Rights UK. (n.d.). Www.disabilityrightsuk.org. https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/ofsted-report-misrepresents-main-problems-facing-send-system
[30] Ofsted report misrepresents the main problems facing the SEND system | Disability Rights UK. (n.d.). Www.disabilityrightsuk.org. https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/ofsted-report-misrepresents-main-problems-facing-send-system
[31] Burden, J. (n.d.). Why Relationships Matter – Parent-Infant Foundation. Https://Parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/. https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/why-we-do-it/why-relationships-matter/
[32] Henry Smith Charity Grant Holder Survey.
Research Lead
Jack Harrison, Learning & Evaluation Officer
Co-Authors and Editors
Ellen Rowland, Communications Manager
Will Jacks, Director of Research, Strategy and External Engagement