The evidence for supporting Early Years
Inequalities in health arise out of inequalities in society; they are not inevitable. Reducing inequality in society leads to improvements in a person’s well-being, mental health, community and social relations, reduced levels of violence and better educational attainment. To improve the health, wellbeing, and life chances of the people of Coventry, reducing inequality is vital.
Where someone is born, where they live, whether they work or not and what they do all affect how long someone will live, how healthy they will be and what quality of life they will experience. Men in the most affluent areas of the city will live, on average, 10.7 years longer than men in the most deprived areas, for women the difference is 8.4 years.
In April 2013 Coventry committed to tackling the health inequalities agenda by delivering rapid change in health inequalities by 2015 and was one of 7 cities in the UK invited to participate in the UK Marmot Network and become a Marmot City. Becoming part of this Network has provided access to the international expertise of the Marmot Team based at University College London.
The ‘One Coventry Plan, 2022 to 2030’ has a clear purpose related to 'Improving outcomes and tackling inequalities within our communities’. This will be achieved through focusing on improving outcomes for local people and tackling inequalities to build prosperity across the city. Protecting the most vulnerable and supporting and valuing the contribution of residents to benefit communities. Amongst the actions are:
- working with business, residents, partners, and education providers to ensure that all our communities’ benefit from job opportunities created by investment in the city
- protecting children and supporting families to give children the best start in life. Raising their aspirations through integrated early help, education partnership work and implementing the Family Valued programme
- acting to narrow the gap in education performance measures for vulnerable groups at each phase, including supporting children and young people who were most affected by disruption to their learning due to the pandemic
Being a Marmot City facilitates partners from different parts of Coventry City Council and from other public sector and voluntary organisations, to work together. Success within the Early Years Strategy is driven through tackling inequalities through a collaborative approach, with communities, and partner organisations and through alignment with the priorities within the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Health and Care Delivery Plan.
The Marmot principles, from the ‘Marmot Review, Fair Society, Healthy Lives’ are embedded into the core functions of the council and its partners. Improving health and reducing inequalities in Coventry is a priority for everyone working to improve the lives of people in the city. Since 2013, there have been improvements in school readiness at age 5, health outcomes, life satisfaction, employment, and reductions in crime in priority locations.