early-intervention-next-steps

102 Early Intervention: The Next Steps
13. Given the current fnancial climate, I recognise
that it would be very difcult, if not impossible,
for such a venture to be taken on by government,
although even in better economic times there are
several compelling reasons to keep it independent.
There are a number of potential non-government
investors. While the funding and fnance options
explored in my second report will look at
continuing investment, initial capital from local
government, philanthropists and social enterprises
is already a possibility. Many investors are keen to
do something positive for society and support a
foundation which could help them to develop the
people and workforce of the future.
14. The review team will therefore aim to build
on the existing momentum in seeking private
and non-governmental investment. My second
report will defne more precisely the scope of
the Foundation, set out the best non-government
options for its initial funding and identify potential
new sources of future investment.
Purpose and general functions of the
Foundation
15. The Foundation would have the following
purpose and general functions:
• Leadership and motivation
It would work across all sectors and throughout
the UK to champion the importance and
impact of Early Intervention and to promote
the need for sustainable policies, strategies and
arrangements for Early Intervention.
• Strategies
It would expand and improve the provision of
Early Intervention across the UK.
• Locally focused
It would work with local authorities, other
local services and their partners to support the
continuing development of the evidence for
Early Intervention set out in this Report.
It would maintain and enhance a database of
cost-efective local programmes.
It would develop robust outcomes monitoring
and evaluation arrangements on behalf of
localities in order to provide independent
reassurance to government and investors in
Early Intervention that outcomes have been
achieved and fnancial savings realised. �
• Funding
It would encourage new investment to provide
Early Intervention.
It would act as a trusted source of information
for philanthropists wishing to provide funding in
this area.
It would actively market efective Early
Intervention policies to local authorities and
funders. �
Benefts to local areas
16. There are several areas of advice and support
that could help to optimise Early Intervention in
local areas, many of which were highlighted in
the responses to the review. These areas are set
out below, and indicate where the Foundation
could best ofer support to those providing
Early Intervention:
• Reliable evidence on the Early Intervention
policies and programmes which are most likely
to improve outcomes for children and young
people and produce economic savings
This includes defning and communicating
clear standards of evidence, with robust
methodologies for measuring the cost–beneft
analysis and efectiveness of programmes.
The Foundation could maintain and develop
databases and directories of efective
programmes, policies, relevant research and
evaluation as a core part of its library of
evidence. The Foundation would be responsible
for disseminating evidence to providers.
I have drawn heavily in the earlier sections of this
Report on standards of evidence developed by
the Greater London Authority in collaboration
with the Social Research Unit (SRU) at
Dartington and later validated by an international
panel of experts. I recommend that the
Foundation, when established, should undertake
further independent consultation on these and
other viable options, and make any necessary
alterations before publishing a set of national
standards to guide future investment decisions.