Variation in community intervention programmes and consequences for children and families: the example of Sure Start Local Programmes

Background: An area-based initiative, Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs), was established by the UK government to reduce social exclusion through improving the well-being of children aged 0–3 years and their families in disadvantaged communities; a true community intervention in that all children under four and their families in specified areas served as targets of universal services. A national evaluation examined the links between variation in programme implementation and effectiveness. Methods: Data gathered from multiple sources produced measures of implementation in terms of proficiency, services and staffing. Measures of programme impact on child/parenting outcomes derived from multilevel models, controlling for child, family and area characteristics, were identified to demonstrate programme effectiveness. Results: Some modest linkage between programme implementation (e.g., proficiency, empowerment of parents and staff, identification of users) and effectiveness for child and parenting outcomes. Conclusions: Overall proficiency and specific aspects of implementation may influence effectiveness, which should guide the design of other child, family and community services. Keywords: Child development, parenting, community interventions, programme implementation, programme effectiveness, Sure Start. Abbreviations: SSLP: Sure Start Local Programme; NESS: National Evaluation of Sure Start; CCI: Comprehensive Community Initiative. In the 1980s and 90s several Comprehensive Community Initiatives (CCIs) emerged in the United States, founded on two principles: the need for strong partnerships between families, governments, child welfare, family support, health, educational agencies and other organisations; and the need to