Better understanding the complex factors affecting children's outcomes - major new Early Childhood Development systems mapping report
Early Years policymakers could better understand the complex, interconnected factors shaping children’s outcomes - and use it to drive more joined-up policy development and collaboration across Early Childhood Development practice, and with sectors such as health, education and social care.
Systems mapping can play a significant role in enabling policymakers working in Early Childhood Development (ECD) to better understand the complex, interconnected factors shaping children’s outcomes – but the opportunities aren’t yet being maximised.
Leading researchers from the University of Edinburgh have highlighted opportunities to drive more joined-up policy development and collaboration across ECD practice and sectors such as health, education and social, care, in a new national report.
However, they found inconsistencies including use of modern methodological techniques, and other gaps, which mean the sector isn’t harnessing the full potential.
The Systems Mapping for Early Childhood Development rapid evidence review report by Professor Tim Kerby of the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Systems Ltd, and Yetong Ding, University of Edinburgh, is supported by Elevate Great, along with the Scottish Funding Council via the Data for Children Collaborative at Edinburgh Futures Institute, part of the university.
You can read the full report via the link above. It sets out significant opportunities for systems mapping as a ‘sense making’ tool, to:
- visualise cross-sector and system relationships
- identify systemic drivers
- support more cross-sector collaboration across sectors such as health
- frame problems within specific parts of the system
- use participatory approaches to build shared understanding and surface diverse perspectives
- identify key leverage points for targeted actions which can drive system-wide change.
It also identifies key challenges, including data limitations, inconsistent methodologies, power imbalances amongst key actors, and overly complex models that can hinder practical use. Current evidence gaps also need to be addressed through more longitudinal studies.
At Elevate Great, we are encouraged by the report’s conclusion that systems mapping has a greater role to play in driving more holistic, coordinated, and adaptive approaches to improving policymaking within ECD and beyond.
If you’re interested in discovering more about our collaborative, multi-dimensional approach to tackling society’s biggest inequalities and system challenges, please get in touch.