At present too many children in deprived areas face a future of being unemployed/underemployed, in and out of the criminal justice system and parents at a young age. Not only does this cost the Treasury billions of pounds each year, it also has profound social costs. Many of these problems stem from the lack of appropriate educational support, with children unable to read, write, and communicate, and lacking the social and emotional skills required in later years. Although general education must be universal, further ‘up-front’ investment should be targeted towards children at risk to reap greater social and economic returns. Therefore, the question is not whether but how policy makers, educationalists and government can find the right means of intervening which are based upon sound evidence rather than fashions and fads.

This seminar will see the launch of a collection of essays on this subject, specially commissioned by the Smith Institute and the Centre for Social Justice and edited by Jean Gross (Director, Every Child a Chance Trust) - free copies posted to all attendees in advance.

Speakers at the seminar include Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith MP, Graham Allen MP and David Laws MP (invited).

If you would like to attend this event, please email gettinginearly@smith-institute.org.uk as soon as possible and in any case no later than Monday 24^th November 2008. Places at this event are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.