This report presents findings from a review of the best evidence on narrowing the gap in outcomes across the five Every Child Matters (ECM) areas for vulnerable groups in the context of improving outcomes for all. The review was commissioned to prepare the ground for work on "Narrowing the Gap" with participating local authorities (LAs). Although the review sought out the best empirical evidence available, there was some variation in the robustness of the evidence reviewed. In general, there was a shortage of longitudinal, robust evidence on narrowing the gap for vulnerable groups that expressly linked outcomes with practice and effectiveness. Selected findings and conclusions include: (1) Strategies that promote children's health, safety and sense of safety, and economic stability all help to provide the necessary conditions to promote effective and enjoyable learning and raise achievement; (2) Programmes and interventions to remediate disadvantage and narrow the gap in outcomes for vulnerable groups need a long-term focus; (3) There is a need for interventions to build on existing mainstream provision to aid sustainability and embed learning and effective and innovative practice; (4) Evidence supports a holistic approach to deal with the range of obstacles and negative influences that are holding children back, rather than single-issue interventions; (5) It is important to build upon the positive elements and experiences of children's and family lives; (6) Emphasis on interventions to increase resilience enables beneficiaries to develop the capacity and skills to resist adversity, cope with uncertainty and recover successfully from trauma; and (7) Interventions that focus on the whole family and involve children learning and working with their parents and care-givers are some of the most effective in supporting sustained improvements for children and preventing regression. Three appendixes include: (1) Search Strategy; (2) Literature Summary Template; and (3) Overview of the Research. (Contains 2 tables.) [For associated Executive Summary, see ED502361.]
Authors
Kendall, Sally, Straw, Suzanne, Jones, Megan, Springate, Iain, Grayson, Hilary
- Authorizing Institution
- National Foundation for Educational Research
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Peer Reviewed
- F
- Publication Type
- ['Information Analyses', 'Reports - Evaluative']
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- Cover 1
- Contents 4
- 1 Introduction 5
- 1.1 Background 5
- 1.2 Aims and focus of the review 5
- 1.3 Methodology 6
- 1.4 Extent and robustness of the evidence 7
- 1.5 Structure of the report 8
- 2 Schools improving outcomes and working with other children’s services to improve outcomes 9
- 2.1 Introduction 9
- 2.2 Has the gap been narrowed? 10
- 2.3 How has the gap been narrowed? 13
- 3 The engagement of parents and carers in their children’s education and in improving wider outcomes 17
- 3.1 Introduction 17
- 3.2 Has the gap been narrowed? 18
- 3.3 How has the gap been narrowed? 20
- 4 Key findings in early intervention andprevention 26
- 4.1 Introduction 26
- 4.2 Has the gap been narrowed? 27
- 4.3 How has the gap been narrowed? 31
- 5 Local leadership 35
- 5.1 Introduction 35
- 5.2 Has the gap been narrowed? 36
- 5.3 How has the gap been narrowed? 37
- 6 Gaps in the evidence 41
- 6.1 Introduction 41
- 6.2 Characteristics of the evidence base 41
- 6.3 Specific outcome areas 42
- 7 Concluding comments 43
- Appendix 1: Search strategy 44
- Appendix 2: Literature summary template 53
- Appendix 3: Overview of the research 55
- References 60
