Media centre
Local Authority pilots to support families launched by National Literacy Trust
21 Apr 2009
21 April 2009
The National Literacy Trust (NLT) today, 21 April 2009, launches Family Reading Matters (FRM), a strategy to support families in creating homes rich in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Over the next year FRM will be piloting the difference that a coordinated Local Authority approach has on the number of families promoting reading, writing, speaking and listening in the home. From today FRM will be piloted in four local authorities, with a funded FRM coordinator post: Derbyshire, Knowsley, Sheffield and Wiltshire.
A number of authorities have also joined FRM as partners, stating their commitment to making literacy a strategic priority. FRM will be taking applications for additional partner authorities until 30 April 2009. Partner local authorities are expected to work towards providing a dedicated FRM local strategic coordinator and will be supported in developing the FRM approach at a local level.
The critical role of parents as a child’s first educator is acknowledged in both the Children’s Plan and Every Parent Matters, and the need for a more coordinated approach to supporting children underpins the Every Child Matters agenda. The NLT has a vision of parents and children being supported to improve their literacy within the home environment. The NLT believes this can be done by coordinating local services in order to improve universal provision and to target support to the most disadvantaged families.
FRM will help local authorities to improve literacy outcomes for the most disadvantaged. It is in a powerful position to support the delivery of both local and national government targets such as improved educational attainment, increased access to skills and employment, greater community cohesion and social mobility.
Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust, says: “Promoting family reading is of central importance in raising national literacy standards. By working in partnership with local authorities to ensure that every home is a reading home, we will also ensure that every child is supported in developing the literacy skills they need to fulfill their potential.”
Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, says: “Through Family Reading Matters, we want to support those parents who are most in need and who may be unconfident reading with their children so they can all enjoy reading as a family activity.”
Family Reading Matters is funded by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) and run by the National Literacy Trust. FRM is supported by a range of key government departments including, DCSF, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, Department for Communities and Local Government and the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government.
Visit www.familyreading.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information on Family Reading Matters contact Emily Thorne, Project Manager: 020 7840 9558 or emily.thorne@literacytrust.org.uk.
About Family Reading Matters
Family Reading Matters is funded by the DCSF and delivered by the National Literacy Trust. The strategy will work in four pilot authorities in Year 1 to examine the difference a dedicated Local Authority strategic coordinator makes to supporting literacy in the home.
Family Reading Matters developed out of the Family Reading Campaign. In October 2007, the campaign held a conference which discussed what were the key barriers and possible solutions to achieving an effective authority-wide approach to supporting literacy in the home. These discussions significantly influenced the development of Family Reading Matters.
FRM@literacytrust.org.uk
www.familyreading.org.uk
About family literacy
Parental involvement in their child’s literacy practices is a more powerful force for educational attainment than other family background variables, such as social class, family size and level of parental education.
Parents have the greatest influence on the achievement of young people through supporting their learning in the home rather than supporting activities in school. It is their support for learning within the home environment that makes the maximum difference to achievement.
The earlier parents become involved in their children’s literacy practices, the more profound the results and the longer-lasting the effects. Early intervention is crucial because learning begins within the family long before children start school.
FRM pilot authorities
Family Reading Matters Year 1 pilot local authorities are Derbyshire, Knowsley, Sheffield and Wiltshire:
Derbyshire –
Nick Hodgson, Chief Executive, Derbyshire County Council: “Derbyshire has a really good track record of adopting a partnership approach to improving literacy. Family Reading Matters is a brilliant idea which will shape the achievement of literacy goals within the Derbyshire Partnership Forum.”
Knowsley –
Damian Allen, Executive Director, Children and Family Services, Knowsley MBC: “Knowsley MBC is committed to supporting literacy in every Knowsley home. Family Reading Matters will further develop work that is currently being done in this key area, to the benefit of the whole community.”
Sheffield –
Dr Sonia Sharp, Executive Director, Children and Young People’s Directorate, Sheffield City Council: “Making children ready for learning is where our greatest gains can be made. Family Reading Matters will enable us to help more parents experience the pleasure and benefits of supporting their children’s reading, so they start school confident and enthusiastic.”
Wiltshire –
Keith Robinson, Chief Executive, Wiltshire Council: “Reading and talking about books within the family are essential to the development of children's skills – and their enjoyment. I am delighted that Wiltshire has been selected to pilot Family Reading Matters.”
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that changes lives through literacy. It links home, school and the wider community to inspire learners and create opportunities for everyone.
The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486, Registered office: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL
www.literacytrust.org.uk
Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF)
DCSF is funding Year 1 of Family Reading Matters. This includes funding a dedicated Family Reading Matters coordinator in each of the four Local Authority pilots: Derbyshire, Knowsley, Sheffield and Wiltshire.
