It takes a community to raise a child
See the bigger picture
Services need to consider the wider family and environmental context when seeking
to meet the child’s needs. It is important to recognise the role that communities
play in supporting children’s development. The Early Years knowledge-base shows
clearly that improving outcomes is best achieved through providing holistic family
support that responds to the broader issues facing parents, a message echoed by
the Families, Parents & Carers theme. The Safeguarding theme illustrated the
importance of ensuring that wider contextual factors are considered when assessing
a child or young person.
C4EO Research Reviews relevant to this area include:
Early Years
Black and minority ethnic
families and those experiencing poverty particularly benefit from outreach support.
Families Parents and Carers
Effective Early Years
interventions for disabled children adopt a whole family approach.
Safeguarding
High quality assessment requires observation of the child within the family environment. It is important to speak to wider family members and others who know the child as part of this process.
Child Poverty
1. High quality assessment is child-focussed
but also acknowledges and analyses the wider context of the child's life.
2. Community-based and schools-based interventions can be effective in addressing child poverty.
