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Key issues for service development
This section will help you think about the key issues involved in developing early home learning services that can really make a difference to outcomes for children.
Checklist for service development – key considerations
What services are you already providing to involve parents in early home learning?
An audit of existing services may help you identify any gaps or areas for improvement. Follow this link for information about the kind of services that have been shown to be effective in supporting early learning at home. More
Do these services include work with parents in the home?
Consider whether including home-based services would enable you to reach vulnerable parents more effectively. More
How will you consult parents about the kind of services they need and involve them in developing the service?
Parent forums or steering groups can enable parents to have a voice in shaping services. Consider whether training may be needed for these parents to play an active role. The Family Policy Alliance have produced a Parent Participation toolkit that will help you achieve effective parent involvement and consultation.
Who are you targeting?
Consider the key risk factors for children in terms of learning delay and identify local areas of need, as well as vulnerable families within these areas. More
How are you going to reach them?
Identify potential barriers to engagement and ways of overcoming them. More
How do you want to develop existing services to meet identified needs?
Services that include a flexible range of universal, targeted and specialist support have been shown to be most effective. Which services will be universal and which will be targeted? Follow this link for more information about different models and approaches you could use.
Will you deliver the services internally or will you put the service out to tender?
Consider the strength of the private and voluntary sector in reaching and engaging vulnerable families. More
Will additional funding be needed and if so, where will it come from?
Sustainable funding for long-term investment in prevention is crucial in making a real impact on outcomes for children. More
How will you reach and engage under-represented groups such as fathers, parents from minority ethnic communities, families with mental health issues and disabled parents?
One size doesn't fit all. Follow this link for information about tailoring outreach and services to include parents with different needs.
What outcomes are you trying to achieve?
Outcomes for children should be at the heart of early home learning services. Follow this link for messages from research about the importance of the early home learning environment in improving outcomes for children.
How will you achieve these outcomes?
Follow this link to find out more about the key issues that influence effectiveness of early home learning services.
How will you monitor and evaluate the service?
Think about how you will know the service is making a difference. More
Where will the service be based?
Consider a mixed economy of services and settings to reach and engage vulnerable parents. More
Are there existing programmes to involve parents in their children's early learning that would meet local needs?
Follow this link for more information about available programmes and resources.
What is your desired timescale for development of the service?
Consider the time needed to identify and reach your target group and the need to train staff.
Which departments and agencies do you need to consult and work closely with, in order to provide seamless support for parents?
How will you achieve integrated and joined-up working between health visiting, early years, parenting support and family support services, as well as between the private, statutory and voluntary sectors? More
Who can provide advice to help you plan this service?
Identify existing sources of expertise in enabling effective parent involvement in the early years. Contact your local National Strategies Early Years Adviser or download the
Resources list for other sources of information.Which Regional Advisers may be able to help you plan this service?
More information
Who will deliver it?
Consider the capacity of existing staff resources and/ or whether additional recruitment will be needed. Follow this link for more information about the workforce implications of an early home learning service.
What skills will these staff need?
Consider the need for training in outreach skills as well as skills in building relationships with parents and involving them in their children's play and learning. More
Which existing training programmes could meet local staff development needs?
Follow this link for more information about available practitioner training programmes.
How will staff be supported and supervised?
Consider the supervision needs of staff working with vulnerable parents, particularly when working in parents' homes. More
What continuous professional development arrangements will you put in place?
On-going staff development is key to ensuring best practice and service outcomes. More
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