Narrowing the Gap (NtG) documents and publications

Section One - An introduction

Narrowing the Gap – Final Guidance Year 2 report - Section 1 (287Kb PDF file, 15 pages)

Section Two - Narrowing the gap - an overview

NTG Final Guidance Year 2 - Section 2 (289Kb PDF file, 15 pages)

Section Three – Golden threads

NTG Final Guidance Year 2 - Section 3 (204Kb PDF file, 2 pages)

Section Four - NFER Summary - key messages

NTG Final Guidance Year 2 - Section 4 (147Kb PDF file, 9 pages)

Section Five – Self evaluation templates

NTG Final Guidance Year 2 - Section 5 (277Kb PDF file, 9 pages)

Section Six - Case studies 

NTG Final Guidance Year 2 - Section 6 (792Kb PDF file, 54 pages)

Section Seven - Research studies

NTG Final Guidance Year 2 - Section 7 (717Kb PDF file, 114 pages)

Section Eight – Acknowledgements

NTG Final Guidance Year 2 - Section 8 (209Kb PDF file, 3 pages)

Section One - An introduction

This illustrates how best to use the pack and the suitability of each section for different audiences. The glossary at the end of section one provides a common set of definitions, drawn from our experience in the first year and the contributions made by those working with us.

Narrowing the Gap – Final Guidance Year 1 report - Section 1 (136Kb PDF file, 9 pages)

Section Two - Narrowing the gap - an overview

This is essential reading for everyone and sets out an overview of the Narrowing the Gap programme, what we are doing and why.

NTG Final Guidance Year 1 - Section 2 (179Kb PDF file, 22 pages)

Section Three – Golden threads

This identifies the top 12 Golden Threads – the critical core hypotheses that we have drawn from the evidence and from the work with the 101 participating Local Authorities and their Children's Trust Partners. These golden threads have to be taken together, applied universally and pursued relentlessly to achieve significant change.

NTG Final Guidance Year 1 - Section 3 (186Kb PDF file, 26 pages)

Section Four - NFER Summary - key messages

This gives a summary of key messages from data, literature and research. It identifies the key gaps in children's outcomes and in data collection, synthesised from the studies done by NFER over the first year. It is also essential reading for everyone.

NTG Final Guidance Year 1 - Section 4 (254Kb PDF file, 9 pages)

Section Five – Self evaluation templates

This sets out, in five self evaluation templates, the critical ‘building blocks' that need to be in place to ‘make the difference' based on the professional judgement of practitioners and organisations.

NTG Final Guidance Year 1 - Section 5 (1.5Mb PDF file, 32 pages)

Section Six - Every Child Matters: a benchmark for narrowing the gap

This provides a benchmark for central and local government, schools and early years settings. It provides a baseline from which services can develop but also provides a measure of what absolutely must be in place universally across all of children's services.

NTG Final Guidance Year 1 - Section 6 (170Kb PDF file, 4 pages)

Section Seven - Acknowledgements

This lists the Local Authorities who, with their Children's Trust partners, participated in the regional workshops, contributed material, and supported the work with evidence and critical analysis.

NTG Final Guidance Year 1 - Section 7 (162Kb PDF file, 4 pages)

Section Eight – Case Studies - examples of effective local practice

This gives examples of effective practice where Local Authorities, Children's Trust partners, health services and others, schools and children's centres are already implementing the 12 golden threads in their work to narrow the gap in outcomes.

NTG Final Guidance Year 1 - Section 8 (587Kb PDF file, 80 pages)

1. How to use this pack

This pack contains all the material that that has been produced during the first phase of the Narrowing the Gap project. It is designed to be used by everyone working with or for children and young people and their families across the children's sector – locally, regionally or nationally.

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - Section 1 (703Kb PDF file, 3 pages)

2.  Narrowing the gap – an overview

This sets out an overview of the Narrowing the Gap project, what the project does and why.

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence- Section 2 (627Kb PDF file, 9 pages)

3.  Where are the gaps? – an overview of the data by NFER (a summary)

This gives a summary of what the data shows about the gaps in children's outcomes and the gaps in data collection, through an analysis of available data.

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - Section 3 (231Kb PDF file, 9 pages)

4.  What seems to ‘make the difference' – the top 10 golden threads

This section sets out the critical core hypotheses that have been drawn from the evidence and from extensive work with a wide range of stakeholders. These 10 golden threads have to be taken together, applied universally and pursued relentlessly to achieve significant change. arrangements).

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - Section 4 (82Kb PDF file, 7 pages)

5.  The critical ‘building blocks' - what makes the difference in more detail

Section five sets out, in five templates, the critical ‘building blocks' that need to be in place to ‘make the difference' based on the professional judgement of practitioners and organisations, informed by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) reviews

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - Section 5 (470Kb PDF file, 79 pages)

6.  What research is telling us – a review of literature and evidence by NFER (a summary)

Section six provides a summary of a review of available literature and research by NFER. This review looked at 800+ pieces of evidence, looked in detail at 70 and draws out key messages. The full report can be found in appendix B.

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - Section 6 (4.8Mb PDF file, 9 pages)

7.  The next steps

Section seven provides some concluding thoughts for policy-makers and deliverers of children's services alike.

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - Section 7 (83Kb PDF file, 7 pages)

Appendix A –

Overview and analysis of available datasets on vulnerable groups and ECM outcomes.

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence- cover diagram and contents (717Kb PDF file, 2 pages)

Appendix B –

A review of the research evidence

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - review report (454Kb PDF file, 68 pages)

Appendix C –

Glossary and definitions

Narrowing the Gap A review of the research evidence - glossary and definitions (54Kb PDF file, 4 pages)

Appendix D –

Acknowledgements

Narrowing the gap A review of the research evidence - acknowledgements (38Kb PDF file, 2 pages)