‘Early intervention’ pioneer, Professor David Olds of the USA, shares experiences and ideas with
English audience
Social Exclusion Minister Pat McFadden and Kate Billingham, Deputy Chief
Nursing Officer, join him in discussion
Professor Olds from the University of Colorado marks his visit to England
with a speech at the
RSA tonight. A pioneer in devising new approaches to early
intervention in the first few years of a child's life, Professor Olds
will discuss in detail his work and experiences. This includes the Nurse
Family Partnership, a programme he established in the US and has been developing for over 25 years and
which is now being piloted in England.
In the US, the programme has been proven to improve women's pre–natal
health, reduce child abuse, neglect and injuries, improve readiness for
school and reduce adolescent crime, behavioural problems and substance
misuse. It has been shown to save $5 for every $1 spent.
Professor Olds will say:
“After three decades of developing and conducting scientifically
controlled studies of the Nurse Family Partnership, we are now confident
that this programme can help vulnerable new parents and protect and
promote the health and development of their children, with lasting
effects on their lives.
“I am very pleased that this model of intervention is now being piloted
in England. It is a great opportunity to learn more about how young,
first time mothers can effectively meet the exciting challenges ahead.”
Joining Professor Olds on the platform will be Social Exclusion Minister
Pat McFadden. He will outline the Governments wider commitment to early
intervention and actions put in place in supporting the most excluded since
the launch of the Social Exclusion Action Plan last autumn.
Pat McFadden will say:
“We have had much success in combating poverty in the past decade. We
have 600,000 fewer children in poverty. 2.5 million more people in work.
And the incomes of the poorest 20% of people have risen at a faster
annual rate than the richest 20%.
“But not all have shared in this progress. We know that the early months
and years of a child's life are absolutely vital in shaping life
chances. It is not an iron rule, but it will have a strong bearing on
what happens later in life. And that emphasis on the very earliest months
and years – indeed the importance of the period before a baby is born –
is one reason we became interested in the work of Professor Olds and the
experience of the Nurse Family Partnership in the United States.
“There is powerful evidence that poverty, poor attachment, stress during
pregnancy, poor maternal health, post–natal depression and harsh
parenting styles are strongly associated with poor outcomes later in the
child's life such as anti–social behaviour and low educational
outcomes.
“If we know about the importance of the early months and years of a
child's life, and we know about the cycle of disadvantage that can be
passed from generation to generation, cutting off opportunity and
aspiration, and we know we have a programme that offers a lot of promise
in challenging this pattern, then it would be wrong to turn away from
that”
Kate Billingham, Government Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, will also be
speaking. She will discuss the trial of the programme in the UK and the ten areas in which they are
being piloted.
Kate Billingham will say:
“The Nurse Family Partnership programme has the potential to transform
both the life chances of our most disadvantaged children and the services
we provide for all families with young children. It is a privilege to
work with David Olds and his team and to have the opportunity to test
this exciting programme in this country.”
Chaired by Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive RSA, the speeches will be
followed by a Q and A with stakeholders in the audience.
Ends
Notes to editors
-
Government announced in Reaching Out: An Action Plan on Social Exclusion
(11 September 2006) a proposal to establish 10 projects to demonstrate
models of health–lead parenting support for parents of children from
pre–birth to age 2. The ten areas that were announced earlier this year
to pilot the projects are: Barnsley Borough Council/ PCT; Derby Council/
Derby City PCT; County Durham and Darlington Councils/ PCTs; Manchester
City Council/ PCT; Slough LA/ Berkshire East PCT; Somerset County
Council/ PCT; Southend Borough Council/ South East Essex PCT; Southwark
Council/ PCT; Tower Hamlets Council/ PCT; Walsall Borough Council/ PCT
-
Download the
Social Exclusion Action Plan
Cabinet Office Press Office
22 Whitehall
LONDON SW1A 2WH
Tel: 020 7276 1203
Fax: 020 7276 0618
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Out of hours telephone 07699 113300 and ask for pager number 721338
