Identity parade? How early to spot trouble?Can problem children be spotted before they're even born?
Identity parade? How early to spot trouble?Can problem children be spotted before they're even born?
Before a child takes its first breath, doctors can respond to health problems.
Before a child takes its first breath, doctors can respond to health problems.
But could the same be true of behavioural problems? Are tomorrow's anti-social children going to be identifiable before they've even been born? And if that's the case, what can be done to help?
But could the same be true of behavioural problems? Are tomorrow's anti-social children going to be identifiable before they've even been born? And if that's the case, what can be done to help?
Today, in a speech on social exclusion, Prime Minister Tony Blair will highlight the need for early intervention to support children identified as most likely to face a troubled future.
Today, in a speech on social exclusion, Prime Minister Tony Blair talked about social exclusion - a topic that last week saw him highlight the need for early intervention to support children identified as most likely to face a troubled future.
WHO, WHAT, WHY? A regular feature in the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines
WHO, WHAT, WHY? A regular feature in the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines
The argument is that by the time these children begin school, they can already be on a collision course, which will lead to exclusion from school, anti-social behaviour and criminality.
The argument is that by the time these children begin school, they can already be on a collision course, which will lead to exclusion from school, anti-social behaviour and criminality.
Research accompanying Mr Blair's speech highlights a pattern of negative development that can escalate from "hyperactivity at two, cruelty to animals at six, shoplifting at 10, burglary at 15, robbery at 20 and eventually spouse assault, child abuse and neglect".
Research accompanying Mr Blair's speech highlights a pattern of negative development that can escalate from "hyperactivity at two, cruelty to animals at six, shoplifting at 10, burglary at 15, robbery at 20 and eventually spouse assault, child abuse and neglect".
But how early is early enough when it comes to changing the path of a young person's life?
But how early is early enough when it comes to changing the path of a young person's life?
Before birth, according to a project in New Zealand, in which midwives have helped to detect problem families.
Before birth, according to a project in New Zealand, in which midwives have helped to detect problem families.
Midwife visits
Midwife visits
This project has been highlighted by the UK government - and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says that such pre-birth screening could also happen in this country.
This project has been highlighted by the UK government - and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says that such pre-birth screening could also happen in this country.
Children's behaviour patterns are set early
Children's behaviour patterns are set early
There has already been a pilot project in Leeds in which midwives identified unborn children likely to be heading into difficulties - with the RCM claiming an 80% success rate.
There has already been a pilot project in Leeds in which midwives identified unborn children likely to be heading into difficulties - with the RCM claiming an 80% success rate.
The risk factors included domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health problems and poor education.
The risk factors included domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health problems and poor education.
But a spokesperson pointed to the difficult balancing act in intervening to help families under pressure, without threatening the sense of trust between midwife and family. "We don't want to jeopardise the relationship," she said.
But a spokesperson pointed to the difficult balancing act in intervening to help families under pressure, without threatening the sense of trust between midwife and family. "We don't want to jeopardise the relationship," she said.
The chief executive of the NCH children's charity, Clare Tickell, says early intervention is vital - both in terms of intervening early in the life of a child and early in the life-cycle of a problem.
The chief executive of the NCH children's charity, Clare Tickell, says early intervention is vital - both in terms of intervening early in the life of a child and early in the life-cycle of a problem.
"I'm a massive supporter of early intervention - which is about anticipating problems rather than waiting until families are in crisis," says the NCH chief.
"I'm a massive supporter of early intervention - which is about anticipating problems rather than waiting until families are in crisis," says the NCH chief.
Bleak families
Bleak families
"The earlier you intervene with families - and with children - the more likely you are to have success, and the cheaper it will be. It costs a huge amount of money to see to a child to 18," she says.
"The earlier you intervene with families - and with children - the more likely you are to have success, and the cheaper it will be. It costs a huge amount of money to see to a child to 18," she says.
Victorian reformers wanted to rescue "criminal children"
Victorian reformers wanted to rescue "criminal children"
And she says the challenge is to break cycles of dysfunctional behaviour that could stretch back generations - with "terrible, bleak family histories".
And she says the challenge is to break cycles of dysfunctional behaviour that could stretch back generations - with "terrible, bleak family histories".
But she warns about the sensitivity of offering help without labelling people as inevitable failures and stigmatising children before they're born.
But she warns about the sensitivity of offering help without labelling people as inevitable failures and stigmatising children before they're born.
Former Labour MP Tony Benn has warned that labelling children in this way could be a kind of "eugenics, the sort of thing Hitler talked about".
Former Labour MP Tony Benn has warned that labelling children in this way could be a kind of "eugenics, the sort of thing Hitler talked about".
But Neera Sharma, policy officer at Barnardo's, says that there has to be a distinction between giving access to support and a "surveillance and monitoring" approach.
But Neera Sharma, policy officer at Barnardo's, says that there has to be a distinction between giving access to support and a "surveillance and monitoring" approach.
And she supports the principle that early assistance is more effective than trying to pick up the pieces later in life.
And she supports the principle that early assistance is more effective than trying to pick up the pieces later in life.
"Today's drop-outs are tomorrow's parents," she said.
"Today's drop-outs are tomorrow's parents," she said.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
