An Equal Start: Improving support during pregnancy and the first 12 months

An Equal Start considers how public policy needs to change in order to give children a more equal start in life. One limitation of previous research in this area has been the focus on isolated examples of public policy support.

This book considers a wide range of interventions together, including financial, health and parenting support and questions the balance between them.

The authors bring together the evidence about what makes a difference during pregnancy and the first twelve months of a child's life and the impact this period can have on outcomes in later childhood and adult life. They assess the scope and effect of current public policy interventions and suggest how these should change in future.

The book will make essential reading for all those working with (and developing policies for) pregnant women and families with children under one, including health visitors, midwives, childcare and parenting organisations and local and national government. "An Equal Start presents a truly progressive agenda: It recognises that support from the earliest months and years of life is essential to achieving true equality of opportunity for everyone." Ruth Kelly MP

"At birth, most children could be said to be equal: the next twelve months are critical in their future development and their chances into adulthood. Lisa Harker and Liz Kendall have produced a radical reassessment of how we can really benefit future generations." Oliver James

"For the first time, Harker and Kendall have shown how new thinking on policies for health and social care practitioners could bring together a coherent strategy for the future welfare of all our children." Polly Toynbee