We know that the early years of a child’s life, from conception, are a critical period, determining physical, cognitive, social and emotional, and behavioural development in ways that have lifelong effects. What parents and communities do during this time is hugely important for their children, and how local services are organised to help them really matters.
In the Autumn of 2020 EIF recruited 20 local areas, half in Wales and half in England, to carry out a local assessment of arrangements for support in maternity and early years.
The focus was on the local system as a whole, so understanding how different services and organisations work together as partners to offer joined-up support for families. The process was intended to help each local area to establish a baseline which takes account of the initial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to help them to plan for the future.
We will publish a report later this year drawing out the key themes from this work including examples of how local areas are working together for families.
In the meantime, local areas described some common and familiar barriers to progress:
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