Nurseries in Liverpool sought to take part in research trial with parenting programme 'Triple P'

THE Education Endowment Foundation has recently announced a new trial with 'Triple P' (Positive Parenting Program) to improve the sectors understanding of child behaviour and development, as part of a series of trials on the home learning environment. 'Triple P' are looking for state maintained nurseries across Liverpool to take part in the trial, which aims to understand how best to support families and their children.

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has partnered with the Department for Education and Leed based education charity SHINE to test projects that support parents to help improve their children's early language and literacy skills at home before they start School. 1 of these trials, the Level 4 Group 'Triple P' trial, supports early years practitioners to deliver targeted sessions to parents that aim to improve children's language, and social and emotional development.

This will be a large, independently evaluated, trial of 'Triple P' in England and will explore the effect of the programme on language development.

'Triple P' is the world's most extensively evaluated parenting programme, and it has been shown through more than 300 evaluations that its programmes improve child, family and community functioning. 'Triple P' is designed to reach a high number of families quickly, effectively and at scale. By allowing all parents access to parenting programmes, tailored to their level of need, 'Triple P' works on a model of prevention, early intervention, and treatment to support children's development, prevent problems developing in the 1st place, and ultimately improve their life chances.

Matt Buttery, Chief Executive of 'Triple P' UK, said:- "I am delighted that 'Triple P' UK are taking part in this vital trial to improve our understanding of how the home learning environment can impact on children's language skills and development. As our compelling evidence base shows, parenting is a crucial part of the education toolkit and we are very pleased that the government is taking this into account and working towards improving the life chances of children in the UK, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am very much looking forward to working with our partners and with nurseries across Liverpool to ensure that this trial furthers our understanding of the positive impact of disseminating effective tools for parenting on children's development."

This trial is part of a wider project, which will spend ₤5m testing projects in the North of England, that aim to provide practical tools and advice to parents, so that they can help their children learn new words through simple steps, such as reading and singing nursery rhymes. All of the projects will have a focus on supporting families in disadvantaged areas.  A number of international studies have raised doubts about the program's benefits, so the results of this UK trial will be very interesting. To express your interest or to find out more information, please contact:- EEFTrial@TripleP.Net.  

Sir Kevan Collins, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, said:- "Parents care very much about the future of their children, whatever their background or wherever they come from. But it can sometimes be difficult to get them involved in their child's learning and we know little about how to do this well. By testing different ways of improving the home learning environment; from texts to parents to home visits; these new trials will give us much needed information about how we can give parents the tools they need to give their child the very best start in life. I'm delighted that we're able to partner with SHINE on this project. They have excellent networks in the north of England and will help us to make sure we reach those Schools, nurseries and families most in need of support."

Have you used 'Triple P' and had noticed a difference in your children? We would love to know... Please email us at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com with your thoughts on this topic...

Scrapyard Britain - abandoned cars in the North West increase 227% in 5 years

THE number of motorists ditching their vehicles across the North West has increased by more than 200% in 5 years, new research reveals, as the Region has become a scrapyard for abandoned cars. New data, obtained by Confused.com, through Freedom of Information requests to Local Authorities in the North West, reveals 118 abandoned vehicles were removed by Councils in 2017/18; that's 2 cars per day, on average. To visualise the epidemic, Confused.com has created an interactive scrapyard map which highlights how the problem has worsened in the Region and across England and Wales, with the number of cars being abandoned in the North West increasing by 227% in 5 years (2013/14; 2017/18).

Frustratingly, these nuisance vehicles come at a price to the tax payer, as Local Authorities in the Region forked out a whopping ₤41,648 in 2017/18 clearing the roads of abandoned cars. And this bill is barely paid by the ₤3,800 issued to drivers in fines over the same period. In the same year, Councils were also responsible for destroying 387 of the seized vehicles.

The sheer number of cars being stranded on the roadside has not gone unnoticed by the public, as 7,027 reports of abandoned vehicles were filed in the North West in 2017/18. Although, this is unsurprising given 25% of drivers in the Region admit to abandoning their vehicle at some point, according to further research. With so many motorists clearly open to ditching their vehicle on the side of the road for whatever reason, it's no wonder Councils are being inundated with reports. However, the research also found that 10% UK drivers are confused about what they should do if they spot an abandoned car, and a further 9% wouldn't know how to report one. To make this clearer for motorists, Confused.com has created a:- 'Report an abandoned car' tool, which enables motorists to search for their Local Council and directs them straight to the dedicated webpage.

According to the data, motorists in Blackpool are more likely to abandon their vehicle, as the Local Council removed the highest number of stranded vehicles in 2017/18. Blackpool Council seized 118 vehicles, following 285 reports of abandoned vehicles from the public.

As the data proves, motorists across the North West are treating the roadsides as a scrapyard, and it seems this is widespread issue across England and Wales. In fact, 12,442 abandoned cars were removed by Councils in 2017/18, of which 8,886 were destroyed. This is following 148,777 reports of abandoned vehicles in the 1 year. And this did not come cheap to Councils, as they forked out a whopping ₤527,380 to remove or destroy these vehicles, and received only ₤55,072 in fines for offenders in comparison.

It's surprising so many motorists are willing to leave their vehicle given the initial cost they are likely to have paid for it. And, while the majority (82%) of UK drivers who admit to abandoning their vehicle did so temporarily, leaving it for 4 days, on average, 24% permanently ditched their car, leaving Councils to clear up the mess. Although, there is a clear theme in motorists' reasons for their actions, with the cost of owning or running a car playing a key part in their decision. In fact, 27% said they ditched their car permanently because they could not afford to get it towed or repaired, while 20% were worried about being fined for it not being taxed. 16% admit they could no longer afford to run it. But some motorists can't get their head around the thought of ditching a vehicle, with 29% UK drivers saying they are confused about why people think abandoning their car is a good idea. Although, 30% think the rising cost of car insurance is likely to cause people to ditch their vehicle, while a further 31% think the lack of knowledge around scrappage schemes might cause people to abandoned their car altogether. However, there is still a high number of motorists who would consider ditching their car, with 31% admitting this is something they would do, for reasons including to avoid drink driving (16%), or if they broke down and could not afford to have it towed or repaired (7%). However, abandoning a vehicle can have its own financial consequences, as 31% of motorists who have ditched their car received a fine, costing ₤146 on average.

It is worrying motorists are going to the extreme of ditching their vehicle, however the current cost of motoring is certainly becoming a challenge all motorists are facing. With car insurance prices on the rise, and fuel prices reaching the highest on record in 2018, it is no surprise motorists are struggling to run their cars. But perhaps this calls for better visibility of different options available to drivers to scrap or sell their vehicle if they can no longer afford to keep it.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says:- "The cost of running a car is becoming incredibly expensive and it seems this has caused thousands of drivers in the North West to ditch their vehicles. It's worrying that they think this is their only option. Our interactive map shows just how much of an issue this has become across the Region, as Council's have been forced to spend thousands of pounds removing unwanted cars from the roadside in 1 year alone. Abandoned vehicles are a nuisance, but many motorists are confused about what they should do if they find one; do they report it to the Police, or their Local Council? To make this clearer, Confused.com has created a search tool which points people in the right direction to get in touch with their Local Council and report it."

Anger at job loss plans at Knowsley and St Helens Colleges

THE University and College Union (UCU) has reacted angrily to news of plans to axe 65 staff at SK College Group. The proposed job losses come just a year after 85 posts went at the College's sites in Knowsley and St Helens. SK College Group was created in December 2017 following a merger between:- St Helens College and Knowsley Community College, that was supposed to bring stability. The latest round of cuts also includes plans to close the 14 to 16 Academy, in St Helens. The union said a 2nd round of job cuts less than 18 months after the merger represented a failure of College management and posed a serious threat to educational opportunities in the Region. The cuts are creating uncertainty for students and staff as the College has not given any details on the areas in which it is looking to make cutbacks.

At the time of the merger SK College Group said it would ensure the Colleges can:- "continue to deliver a broad and diverse, high quality, relevant curriculum and qualifications." UCU said its members are due to meet WHEN to discuss their response to the news.

UCU Regional official Martyn Moss said:- "Less than 18 months on from a merger the College said would bring stability it has announced a 2nd round of job losses. Cuts of this magnitude would have a serious impact on the College's ability to deliver educational opportunities for students in the Region. Government cuts to further education are a disgrace, especially at a time when we should be investing in the skills the country needs, but that doesn't excuse knee jerk cuts from Colleges. The uncertainty hanging over staff and students is incredibly worrying and we will be fighting against compulsory job losses and increases in workloads."

Both Jess Glynne and Rick Astley to preform at Haydock Park Racecourse

THE Jockey Club Live and Aintree Racecourse are pleased to announce that the 1 of the music industry's best loved British bands Madness is heading to Aintree Racecourse this year. Combining the genres of:- Ska, Reggae, Motown, Rock'n'Roll and Classic Pop, this amazing act will be headlining an open air concert on Friday, 17 May 2019 at the historic venue. Fronted by the charismatic Suggs, Madness' ability to write songs that sparkle with the stuff of British life, that find poetry in everyday reality, has lead them to have many hits including:- 'Baggy Trousers,' 'It Must Be Love,' 'Driving In My Car,' 'Our House' and the 1982 Number 1 'House of Fun.' They are songs that have left their mark on British pop culture; their spirit endures in the music of Blur, The Streets, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys and many more. In the last few years they have also delivered historic performances at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert and at the 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony, cementing them as 1 of the nation's most successful bands. Tickets are on sale via:- TheJockeyClubLive.Co.UK.

John Baker, Managing Director, Aintree Racecourse, said:- "We are delighted to welcome Madness to the home of the Grand National next May and are looking forward to hosting a likely sell out crowd at Aintree. 1 of the music industry's most successful bands, we are looking forward to them belting out a set list packed with all their favourite and most popular hits from across the years. Our music events are renowned for combining a fun filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in an informal and relaxed open air setting, so we look forward to welcoming race goers to a great night at Aintree and definitely urge everyone to book early."

If you do not already know, the Jockey Club Live are leading promoters on the UK live scene, delivering spectacular line ups of some of the hottest chart talent and legendary household names to some of the world's most famous racecourses. The Jockey Club Live concerts at Aintree Racecourse are turning into a staple in the region's social calendar and over the past few years have hosted thousands of fans of live music, with performances from artists including:- Craig David, Lightning Seeds, Jess Glynne and Kaiser Chiefs. The events are renowned for combining a fun filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in the informal and relaxed open air setting of the hallowed turf.