KEEP IT UNIVERSAL
Local authorities are currently deciding how the Early InterventionGrant should be spent to ensure the best outcomes for children, youngpeople and their families.
While understanding, and endorsing, the fact that limited resources haveto be targeted at the neediest and most disadvantaged families, I feelthere is a significant danger that targeted services delivered inisolation will become 'stigmatised', so discouraging many vulnerablefamilies from engaging with them. Placing targeted services within auniversal service enables families to use and benefit from any targetedservice in a non-stigmatising way.
Frank Field MP, in his Review on Poverty and Life Chances - theFoundation Years, advocates universal services in children's centres forthis very reason.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here