Early intervention: smart investment, massive savings, the second independent report to Her Majesty's government

The first report Early Intervention: the next steps (January 2011, ISBN 9780108509711) underlined that many of the costly and damaging social problems for individuals can be eliminated or reduced by giving children and parents the right type of evidence based programmes 0-18 and especially in their earliest years. This second report sets out how to pay for those programmes within existing resources and by attracting new non government money. The key recommendations are that: (1) Government sets a policy objective that all babies, children and young people should have the social and emotional bedrock essential for their future development and their ability to make effective life choices; (2) Government leadership and co-ordination must improve - an Early Intervention Task and Finish Group of experts from across Government departments should establish, measure and progress-chase Early Intervention outcomes; (3) the expected "Families and the Foundation Stage" statement must include regular and purposeful assessments for the 0-5s to help spot and correct dysfunction early; (4) an independent Early Intervention Foundation is set up to promote Early Intervention, spread best evidence based policies and complement the work being done inside Government; (5) need to be more creative in bringing additional non-government money to investment in Early Intervention; (6) establish an 'Early Intervention Fund' or Funds to raise around £200 million of private investment; and (7) HM Treasury should commission a thorough review of Early Intervention growth incentives ahead of the 2012 Budget.