As Government Slashes Spending, US Expert Advises UK on how to Spare Children From Worst Outcomes

LONDON, June 2, 2010 - As the Coalition government faces making the deepest spending cuts in
decades, what tools do central and local government have to ease the pain for
public services? Can spending be cut, and maintain, or even improve outcomes
for children?

The Social Research Unit's 2010 Annual Lecture, to be given by Steve Aos
on June 17 explores the topic "Better outcomes for less money: techniques for
children's policymakers to make good choices in times of scarcity."

Aos is Assistant Director of the Washington State Institute for Public
Policy (WSIPP), the non-partisan research arm of the Washington State
legislature in the United States.

"Like the U.K., many states in the United States are facing deep fiscal
crises and enormous spending cuts," Aos said. "In Washington State we are
bringing together the latest scientific and economic research to inform
lawmakers about the most cost efficient programmes that can lead to
measurably better outcomes for children, families and communities. In times
of crisis, sound, evidence-based policy choices can make all the difference,
not just for the country, but for the lives and prospects of individuals. Our
approach is starting to show promising results."

Aos will describe Washington State's innovative strategy which is being
emulated in several jurisdictions, and draw lessons for the UK.

While in the UK, Aos will meet with national and local policymakers who
hope to benefit from Washington State's model, and Aos' 34 years of
experience evaluating the costs and benefits of programmes to reduce crime,
improve educational outcomes, reduce child abuse and neglect, improve mental
health, and reduce substance abuse.

The Social Research Unit (www.dartington.org.uk), an independent
charity, works to improve the health and development of children through high
quality research into the causes of impairment in children's lives and the
value of children's services, development of evidence-based policies and
practices, and dissemination of sound knowledge. The Annual Lecture lets
policymakers and the public hear from world experts about new developments in
science, policy and practice for improving children's outcomes.

The Annual Lecture will take place on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at the
Commonwealth Club in London (25 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP). The
event will open with a reception at 5.00pm followed from 6-8pm by Mr. Aos's
address.

Louise Morpeh, +44(0)1803-762400

Louise Morpeh, +44(0)1803-762400, jaddy at dartington.org.uk