Appendices: I The need and demand for childcare -methods of assessment 50 II Audits of childcare ... more Appendices: I The need and demand for childcare -methods of assessment 50 II Audits of childcare in Wales -methodology 58 III An evaluation of national data for local childcare planning 64 IV Sources of information on childcare services for 5-14 year olds 75 V Interview schedule and questionnaire 85
Introduction Earlier intervention is a cornerstone of government policy on supporting children an... more Introduction Earlier intervention is a cornerstone of government policy on supporting children and families with additional needs. This review and scoping study was commissioned to provide a more in-depth understanding of what is meant by 'earlier intervention' (defined as intervening early in the life-course of a problem, or with a population at risk of identifying that problem, but not necessarily early in life). It draws on research evidence to highlight the relevance of issues such as the timing, duration and intensity of interventions; identification of the target population; the acceptability and 'reach' of programmes; and concepts such as prevention and risk assessment. The review focuses on additional support for children who are experiencing or likely to experience difficulties, and does not cover universal services available to all children and their families. Key Findings • Early intervention is important, but it is not a 'magic bullet' that remove...
Abstract The implementation of the Children Act 1989, with its emphasis on family support through... more Abstract The implementation of the Children Act 1989, with its emphasis on family support through the provision of non-stigmatizing local services and on local authorities working in partnership with voluntary and private service providers, has given a new focus to the use ...
This article examines the role that the private day-care market plays within the range of day-car... more This article examines the role that the private day-care market plays within the range of day-care services offered by local authorities for children in need. It examines how local authorities have developed their use of private day-care services generally, and goes on to discuss three models of sponsored childminding practice which were identified in the study. Although authorities have generally been innovative in developing their work with independent day-care providers, if they are to continue to purchase good quality services for children in need they need to ensure that private day-care providers receive adequate levels of training and support, and that steps are taken to address existing gaps in both private and local authority day-care services.
This article presents findings from a three-year government-funded study of the work and family l... more This article presents findings from a three-year government-funded study of the work and family lives of four important groups within the children's workforce in England: residential social workers in children's homes, family support workers, foster carers and community childminders. The study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including biographical narrative interviews. The policy context of the Children's Workforce Strategy is discussed, focusing particularly on the government's aim to develop greater integration between different types of work with children and the creation of a more flexible children's workforce. The article then draws together findings from the study to argue that although the planned integrated qualifications framework may assist mobility within the children's workforce, other factors also need to be taken into account. The choice to engage in particular types of childcare work is often linked to factors such as life stage, preferred age of child, preferred working environment and the worker's own background and needs. This suggests the need for more targeted recruitment, matching people to type of work, and for more attention to be paid to the connections between work and family life. The study does provide some evidence of transferable skills and movement over time between types of work with children, and demonstrates the importance of seeing the life-course as presenting opportunities for childcare employment rather than being an obstacle.
Over the last 25 years there has been an increase in reported behavioural and emotional problems ... more Over the last 25 years there has been an increase in reported behavioural and emotional problems among young people. Moreover, students in Higher
Playgroups provide for more children under five than any other preschool service, and now regard ... more Playgroups provide for more children under five than any other preschool service, and now regard themselves as an alternative to, rather than a substitute for, nursery education. There are, however, a number of major issues concerning their funding: income depends largely on parental fees and fund‐raising; playgroups are less well resourced than nursery education; and current resourcing may be too
International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2014
ABSTRACT Over the last 30 years, the authors have collaborated with Julia Brannen on five major r... more ABSTRACT Over the last 30 years, the authors have collaborated with Julia Brannen on five major research studies: the Day Care Project in the 1980s; the study of Four Generation Families at the turn of the millennium; the Care Careers Project in the mid 2000s; and, most recently, Fathers across Three Generations and the Food Practices and Employed Families with Younger Children studies. This article offers an overview of the studies, situating them in their particular historical contexts and the important economic and social changes that have taken place in these contexts. It shows how the theme of the relationship between care, gender and employment has run through all five studies, and also how two complementary themes – intergenerational relationships and the role of fathers – have gained increased prominence, as has the concept of time particularly across the life course. It examines how Julia’s approach to researching the relationship between care and employment has changed over the course of the studies, including evolving conceptualisations and time frames and the introduction and use of new methods.
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to consider the opportunities and difficulties in developin... more Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to consider the opportunities and difficulties in developing health-promotion work in early years settings in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – As the first study of its kind conducted in the UK, a multi-method approach was adopted involving: an overview of health-related guidance and of effective interventions in early years settings to promote health
Reception and initial contact arrangements and practices in social services play a key role in sa... more Reception and initial contact arrangements and practices in social services play a key role in safeguarding children and providing an avenue for the public and professionals to report concerns about a child's welfare. This paper reports on findings from a small-scale study, commissioned in the wake of the Laming Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Victoria Climbié. The aim of the study was an exploration of the arrangements local authorities had in place in early 2004 to receive referrals from the public and professional sources, and to report on duty team managers' levels of satisfaction with these arrangements. It drew on interviews with 70 social work managers responsible for day-time and out-of-hours duty services in 28
The research literature on parenting support typically focuses on English-speaking countries, suc... more The research literature on parenting support typically focuses on English-speaking countries, such as England, the United States and Australia. This article draws on a review, commissioned by the English government, which examined policies and services to support parenting in five European countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, and considered the evidence for effectiveness. In exploring differences between the
An increasing emphasis on the importance of quality in daycare and early education services has c... more An increasing emphasis on the importance of quality in daycare and early education services has created a demand for research tools with which to evaluate this important aspect of provision. This paper describes one such instrument developed in the USA, the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, and analyses the experience of using this scale to structure observations of the environment provided in preschool playgroups in England.
Abstract Drawing on two principal theoretical perspectivessocial construc-tionism and Foucault&#... more Abstract Drawing on two principal theoretical perspectivessocial construc-tionism and Foucault's ideas about powerand data from a study of sponsored day care for children in need, the article problematizes the concept of 'the child in need'which plays a major part in current ...
Pays attention to culture, gender, age and other personal characteristics and how these factors... more Pays attention to culture, gender, age and other personal characteristics and how these factors may influence feelings of wellbeing as well as objective child wellbeing outcomes Is not overly focused on mainstream contexts of young people's lives -such as home and school -but also considers the wellbeing of young people who are excluded from these environments, and differences across contexts.
Children <html_ent glyph="@amp;" ascii="&"/> Society, 2000
Sponsored day care is the term generally used to describe the purchase of places by local authori... more Sponsored day care is the term generally used to describe the purchase of places by local authorities in independent day care services (such as childminders, nurseries and playgroups) for children in need. This paper considers the development and operation of sponsored day care services in 12 English local authorities, in the context of current policy developments within early childhood services. It suggests that provision for children in need is in danger of being marginalised by the current focus on early education and child care for working parents, and highlights the importance of developing services for children in need within an overall strategy for children's services.
Appendices: I The need and demand for childcare -methods of assessment 50 II Audits of childcare ... more Appendices: I The need and demand for childcare -methods of assessment 50 II Audits of childcare in Wales -methodology 58 III An evaluation of national data for local childcare planning 64 IV Sources of information on childcare services for 5-14 year olds 75 V Interview schedule and questionnaire 85
Introduction Earlier intervention is a cornerstone of government policy on supporting children an... more Introduction Earlier intervention is a cornerstone of government policy on supporting children and families with additional needs. This review and scoping study was commissioned to provide a more in-depth understanding of what is meant by 'earlier intervention' (defined as intervening early in the life-course of a problem, or with a population at risk of identifying that problem, but not necessarily early in life). It draws on research evidence to highlight the relevance of issues such as the timing, duration and intensity of interventions; identification of the target population; the acceptability and 'reach' of programmes; and concepts such as prevention and risk assessment. The review focuses on additional support for children who are experiencing or likely to experience difficulties, and does not cover universal services available to all children and their families. Key Findings • Early intervention is important, but it is not a 'magic bullet' that remove...
Abstract The implementation of the Children Act 1989, with its emphasis on family support through... more Abstract The implementation of the Children Act 1989, with its emphasis on family support through the provision of non-stigmatizing local services and on local authorities working in partnership with voluntary and private service providers, has given a new focus to the use ...
This article examines the role that the private day-care market plays within the range of day-car... more This article examines the role that the private day-care market plays within the range of day-care services offered by local authorities for children in need. It examines how local authorities have developed their use of private day-care services generally, and goes on to discuss three models of sponsored childminding practice which were identified in the study. Although authorities have generally been innovative in developing their work with independent day-care providers, if they are to continue to purchase good quality services for children in need they need to ensure that private day-care providers receive adequate levels of training and support, and that steps are taken to address existing gaps in both private and local authority day-care services.
This article presents findings from a three-year government-funded study of the work and family l... more This article presents findings from a three-year government-funded study of the work and family lives of four important groups within the children's workforce in England: residential social workers in children's homes, family support workers, foster carers and community childminders. The study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including biographical narrative interviews. The policy context of the Children's Workforce Strategy is discussed, focusing particularly on the government's aim to develop greater integration between different types of work with children and the creation of a more flexible children's workforce. The article then draws together findings from the study to argue that although the planned integrated qualifications framework may assist mobility within the children's workforce, other factors also need to be taken into account. The choice to engage in particular types of childcare work is often linked to factors such as life stage, preferred age of child, preferred working environment and the worker's own background and needs. This suggests the need for more targeted recruitment, matching people to type of work, and for more attention to be paid to the connections between work and family life. The study does provide some evidence of transferable skills and movement over time between types of work with children, and demonstrates the importance of seeing the life-course as presenting opportunities for childcare employment rather than being an obstacle.
Over the last 25 years there has been an increase in reported behavioural and emotional problems ... more Over the last 25 years there has been an increase in reported behavioural and emotional problems among young people. Moreover, students in Higher
Playgroups provide for more children under five than any other preschool service, and now regard ... more Playgroups provide for more children under five than any other preschool service, and now regard themselves as an alternative to, rather than a substitute for, nursery education. There are, however, a number of major issues concerning their funding: income depends largely on parental fees and fund‐raising; playgroups are less well resourced than nursery education; and current resourcing may be too
International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2014
ABSTRACT Over the last 30 years, the authors have collaborated with Julia Brannen on five major r... more ABSTRACT Over the last 30 years, the authors have collaborated with Julia Brannen on five major research studies: the Day Care Project in the 1980s; the study of Four Generation Families at the turn of the millennium; the Care Careers Project in the mid 2000s; and, most recently, Fathers across Three Generations and the Food Practices and Employed Families with Younger Children studies. This article offers an overview of the studies, situating them in their particular historical contexts and the important economic and social changes that have taken place in these contexts. It shows how the theme of the relationship between care, gender and employment has run through all five studies, and also how two complementary themes – intergenerational relationships and the role of fathers – have gained increased prominence, as has the concept of time particularly across the life course. It examines how Julia’s approach to researching the relationship between care and employment has changed over the course of the studies, including evolving conceptualisations and time frames and the introduction and use of new methods.
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to consider the opportunities and difficulties in developin... more Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to consider the opportunities and difficulties in developing health-promotion work in early years settings in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – As the first study of its kind conducted in the UK, a multi-method approach was adopted involving: an overview of health-related guidance and of effective interventions in early years settings to promote health
Reception and initial contact arrangements and practices in social services play a key role in sa... more Reception and initial contact arrangements and practices in social services play a key role in safeguarding children and providing an avenue for the public and professionals to report concerns about a child's welfare. This paper reports on findings from a small-scale study, commissioned in the wake of the Laming Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Victoria Climbié. The aim of the study was an exploration of the arrangements local authorities had in place in early 2004 to receive referrals from the public and professional sources, and to report on duty team managers' levels of satisfaction with these arrangements. It drew on interviews with 70 social work managers responsible for day-time and out-of-hours duty services in 28
The research literature on parenting support typically focuses on English-speaking countries, suc... more The research literature on parenting support typically focuses on English-speaking countries, such as England, the United States and Australia. This article draws on a review, commissioned by the English government, which examined policies and services to support parenting in five European countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, and considered the evidence for effectiveness. In exploring differences between the
An increasing emphasis on the importance of quality in daycare and early education services has c... more An increasing emphasis on the importance of quality in daycare and early education services has created a demand for research tools with which to evaluate this important aspect of provision. This paper describes one such instrument developed in the USA, the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, and analyses the experience of using this scale to structure observations of the environment provided in preschool playgroups in England.
Abstract Drawing on two principal theoretical perspectivessocial construc-tionism and Foucault&#... more Abstract Drawing on two principal theoretical perspectivessocial construc-tionism and Foucault's ideas about powerand data from a study of sponsored day care for children in need, the article problematizes the concept of 'the child in need'which plays a major part in current ...
Pays attention to culture, gender, age and other personal characteristics and how these factors... more Pays attention to culture, gender, age and other personal characteristics and how these factors may influence feelings of wellbeing as well as objective child wellbeing outcomes Is not overly focused on mainstream contexts of young people's lives -such as home and school -but also considers the wellbeing of young people who are excluded from these environments, and differences across contexts.
Children <html_ent glyph="@amp;" ascii="&"/> Society, 2000
Sponsored day care is the term generally used to describe the purchase of places by local authori... more Sponsored day care is the term generally used to describe the purchase of places by local authorities in independent day care services (such as childminders, nurseries and playgroups) for children in need. This paper considers the development and operation of sponsored day care services in 12 English local authorities, in the context of current policy developments within early childhood services. It suggests that provision for children in need is in danger of being marginalised by the current focus on early education and child care for working parents, and highlights the importance of developing services for children in need within an overall strategy for children's services.
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Papers by June Statham