RTG News
Literacy - a core part of work to address poverty at the H.O.P.E children's centre
27 Jul 2011
Capacity's report provides an inspirational review of work at the H.O.P.E. childen's centre and the difference the centre has made to its users' lives. It also sets out how the approach taken could inform a wider vision for Sure Start nationally.
Quoting the National Literacy Trust's recent report on its work with local authorities, this report looks at the impact of low literacy on parental confidence, employment prospects, mental health and ability to support their children's learning. It argues that children's centres have a vital role to play in helping parents develop their own skills, recognising the knock-on impact this has on their children's chances in life,
"...research findings show that adults who have good educational experiences at any age want more, both for themselves and their children...Adequate literacy and numeracy are as essential and complement other parenting skills...this is an area which could and should be part of the children's centre offer."
The report reviews critical success factors in the H.O.P.E. model, including a description of how services are offered in a holistic, and integrated, fashion and tailored to the needs of local families. The full report can be downloaded here.
The report echoes many of the findings from our work with local authorities - how outcomes can be improved through a partnership approach to literacy which targets the most vulnerable communities and families. Find out more about our work here and join the debate about the role of low literacy in poverty, led by Frank Field MP, at our conference on 11th October.
Full details of the event are online here
