Enhancing outcomes for children and young people: The potential of multi-layered interventions

This paper will examine the way in which multi-layered interventions contribute to enhanced outcomes for families and neighborhoods. Adopting an inclusive definition of outcomes, it will build on the work recently articulated by Manalo [Manalo, V. (2008). Understanding practice principles and service delivery: The implementation of a community-based family support program. Children and Youth Services Review, 30, 928-941.] and Morison Dore, Feldman, and Winnick Gelles [Morison Dore, M., Feldman, N., & Winnick Gelles, A. (2006). Family of friends: Creating a supportive day care community to prevent child abuse and neglect. In A. Lightburn & P. Sessions (Eds.), Handbook of community-based clinical practice (pp. 245-260). New York: Oxford University Press.] on the value of combining a range of parent support and development initiatives, early childhood care and education and community-based initiatives. In particular it will consider the potential of programs that blend early childhood education (those provided by qualified teachers and parent educators), parent development (broadly conceived) and community development practice (including community regeneration and adult education) for enhancing outcomes for stressed and vulnerable children and young people. It will consider the case of a neighborhood-based community centre which has adopted this broad-based approach to support focusing on indicators of success in delivery and outcomes.