Family policy was a key component of the "New" Labour government's family, social and education policy, and a wide range of family focused initiatives and interventions designed to "support" families and improve individual, family and social outcomes were introduced. The post-May 2010 coalition government's family policy…

In 2005, the Department for Education and Skills announced a 40 million British pound investment in a new school support worker role, the parent support adviser (PSA), for 20 English local authorities. A pilot project ran from 2006-2008 and resulted in the establishment of 717 PSAs in 1167 schools. The national evaluation of the project forms the…

The Parent Support Adviser (PSA) role, piloted in 2006-2008 in 20 local authorities (LAs) in England, offered preventative and early intervention support to families where there were concerns about children's school attendance or behaviour. Overall, this was a highly successful initiative in terms of supporting parental engagement with their…

Continuing professional development (CPD) is increasingly becoming recognised as important for all professionals in order to maintain and develop their competence. Many professions, especially in the health field, require evidence of CPD in order for professionals to be granted continuing registration as practitioners. Given its accreditation as…

States that since September 1998, when it became a statutory requirement for maintained primary schools in England, schools have been required to implement baseline assessment for all children within seven weeks of starting school, unless comparable assessment has been made. Extends discussion and evidence concerning earlier phases of baseline…