Nesta has published a new report looking at support for families and children in the early years. The report analyses the Fairer Start Local programme which ran in partnership with three local authorities in England to test and scale new ideas to support early childhood development. The programme aimed to break the link between family background and life chances and help children have happy and healthy childhoods. The report presents six learning points on how to innovate effectively in the early years sector, including: adopting a ‘test and learn’ approach, testing ideas on a small scale and using feedback and data to guide adaptations; and co-designing with parents and practitioners to ensure that solutions are based on lived and professional experience, as well as the latest evidence.   

Read the report: Innovation in the early years  

The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA Centre) has updated its guidance on communicating with children who have or may have been sexually abused. The guide has been designed to help professionals to listen, understand and provide support to children and young people when there are concerns about sexual abuse.

Access the guide: Communicating with children : a guide for those working with children who have or may have been sexually abused