Children's services: why spending now will pay off in the future

Investing in vulnerable young children and their families is a smart move for cash-strapped local services

Headteacher Ian Read recalls when children ran riot in the corridors of his primary school and told anyone reckless enough to intervene where to go. But Watercliffe Meadow, Read’s school in the deprived north Sheffield community of Shirecliffe, has fought its way up the performance rankings, by engaging with families so that new arrivals are better equipped to learn.

“If you came here now you wouldn’t think it was the same school, because they’re just nice kids who want to learn and who value what we do for them,” Read says. “Clearly, having more positive experiences at home is having an impact on their behaviour when they come here.”

There will be a £2bn funding gap by 2020 unless we start investing in the future of our children

Related: To solve Britain’s childhood crisis, politicians have to think long-term | David Brindle

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from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2QJnFUF