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Sophie Metcalfe

@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social

830 followers 280 following 65 posts

Senior researcher in policymaking at Institute for Government - especially all things housing, planning and early years

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

NEW report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on school readiness:

- Who is most at risk of not being school ready?
- What does this mean for the govt's opportunities mission? Is the target for 75% of children to be 'school ready' helpful?

🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe

Cassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · Sep 5

We've had a few surprising moves in this reshuffle so far - one of the big ones is Shabana Mahmood becoming home secretary. On our liveblog I've given a bit of an overview of what she'll face coming in:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

Starmer government reshuffle: PM changes top team after Rayner's exit | Institute for Government

The IfG team analyse the moves as Keir Starmer reshapes his Cabinet.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Jul 14

New blog from @nehaldavison.bsky.social and I reflecting on the Best Start in Life strategy.

Interesting to see the govt signal it wants a bigger role in shaping the childcare market - there's a strong case for it, but it will be hard to do well and local areas will need the right support.

Nehal Davison @nehaldavison.bsky.social · Jul 14

The early years were missing from last month’s SR, but Labour’s Best Start in Life strategy shows they are still committed. Read @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and my and my take on what it gets right - and what it’ll take to make it a reality.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...

Labour’s Best Start in Life Strategy has got off to a good start – now comes the hard part | Institute for Government

The government’s early years strategy signals strong intent, but will require confident, careful steering to make it a reality.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Jun 11

This does not ease concerns that early years policy is poorly aligned with the government's stated long-term delivery priorities for the opportunities mission. More on this in my report with @nehaldavison.bsky.social here.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Jun 11

We'll find out more in the coming weeks, but particularly notable that no spending commitment on the Family Hubs programme at this stage.

And nothing I could see on workforce support/training - despite increasing quality one of three early years priorities in the PfC
www.gov.uk/missions/opp...

Break Down Barriers to Opportunity

Giving children the best start in life.

www.gov.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Jun 11

As expected, funding is geared towards quantity of childcare (supporting the growth mission). Much less investment/focus on policies that will be more critical for narrowing inequalities in attainment at age 5 - as explored in our report here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Jun 11

Key funding announcements:
- Additional £1.6bn/yr by 2028-29 compared to 2025-26 for the childcare expansion for working parents.
- £370mn over next 4 yrs for new school-based nurseries
- £80mn/yr by 2028-29, shared with post-16 settings, to support free school meals expansion.

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Jun 11

A mixed picture for the 'best start in life' strand of the Opportunities Mission in the SR today.

Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.

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Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · May 23

Are you a commercially minded communicator with a passion for public policy? We are looking for a Senior Partnerships Officer to join our team.

Applications are open until Sunday 8 June - find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

A job advert from the IfG for a Senior Partnerships Officer.

Salary: £35,000-£39,000

Deadline: Sunday 8 June, 23:00

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · May 27

It's been brilliant talking to lots of early years experts for this series - many thanks to everyone who kindly gave us their time.

Excited to set out our plans for continuing this work here, with a particular focus on closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals.

Nehal Davison @nehaldavison.bsky.social · May 27

Thanks to all the early years experts who’ve shared insights on the govt’s opportunity mission.

Next up: boys eligible for free school meals – one of the most persistently left-behind groups.

More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...

Closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals | Institute for Government

Next steps for the IfG's work on school readiness.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · May 14

A big next step in the govt's Places for Growth strategy. With the right support, relocation can bring great benefits - see my write-up from visiting Sheffield policy campus here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shef...

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Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe

Amber Dellar @amberdellar.bsky.social · May 13

Excellent new report from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk and @homelessnessimpact.bsky.social on how to take a preventative approach to homelessness.

The govt's current approach is unsustainable. The spending review is a crucial opportunity to turn that around.

Full report👇or read my🧵for a snippet

A smarter approach to homelessness | Institute for Government

Prioritising prevention in the 2025 spending review.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe

Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · May 12

Enjoyed our Rewiring the State event this morning - lots to discuss, including our draft Civil Service Bill

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · May 12

[NEW] A new Civil Service Act

We have led calls for a new statute for the civil service to underpin its role as a vital part of the state, and to improve its management and oversight

Read our draft Bill designed to achieve these objectives 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

A new Civil Service Act | Institute for Government

The Institute for Government presents a draft Civil Service Bill.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe

Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · Apr 7

Interested in joining the @instituteforgov.bsky.social? Our 2025-26 internship is now open for applications! Check out all the info at the link below

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Apr 1

Interested in making government more effective? Applications for our 2025–26 research internship programme, starting in September 2025, are now open.

Closing date: Tuesday 29 April, 11:00 ⏰

Find out more:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

A job advert for research internships 2025-26 at the IfG.

Six one-year, full-time internships starting in September 2025.

Salary: £30,000

Deadline: Tuesday 2 April, 11:00

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Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe

Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · Apr 1

It’s time for my favourite video of the year

Our wonderful interns talk about the @instituteforgov.bsky.social and encourage anyone interested to apply for this year’s round

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Apr 1

And if you want to know more what life as an IfG intern is really like, watch as our current interns discuss their experience and share their advice for applying youtu.be/fqCU3xhtP0Y

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Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe

Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Mar 26

Planning reform given big emphasis in Rachel Reeves' statement today, including key measures from last week's Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

For a breakdown of 5 major changes, check out this recent blog from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and me

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/five...

Five key changes set out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill | Institute for Government

What is the potential impact of the government's planning bill?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 25

Thanks Anna. Yes v important point. Unfortunately it's not reported in the EYFSP data so we can't quantify it but agree on the likely effect. The data also misses other factors - e.g. parental mental health, looked after children - so we draw attention to wider research on those in the report.

Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

And you can find the full report here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

Check out @theipaper.com write-up of our report on school readiness - setting out which groups of children are falling furthest behind even at age 5, and what this means for the government's opportunities mission.

Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · Mar 24

NEW: Fascinating new @instituteforgov.bsky.social report on school readiness

What is the impact of gov's target - for 75% of 5 year-olds to be ‘school ready’ by end of the parliament - on its "break down barriers to opportunity’ mission?

Full @theipaper.com write up:

inews.co.uk/news/educati...

Less than half of boys from deprived backgrounds ready for school aged five

New analysis has found just 43% of boys from deprived backgrounds are deemed school ready in comparison to 60% of girls

inews.co.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

And check out the @theipaper.com write-up here

inews.co.uk/news/educati...

Less than half of boys from deprived backgrounds ready for school aged five

New analysis has found just 43% of boys from deprived backgrounds are deemed school ready in comparison to 60% of girls

inews.co.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

This is introductory research for the next part of this project - focusing on how to improve policymaking (processes, governance and services) for one particular 'left behind' group. Find out more in the report's foreword, and see our next steps here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...

Calling all early years experts and practitioners | Institute for Government

The IfG is seeking insights into early years development.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

Current policies are mainly universal, which may benefit children already doing relatively well. We call for govt to consider how it can meet its school readiness target while improving outcomes for those persistently left behind - to support its goal of closing the opportunity gap in a decade.

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

What does this mean for the opportunities mission?
- Targets are great for galvanising cross-govt action towards a clear, common aim.
- But there's a risk that govt aims for the school readiness target, and inadvertently reinforces the inequalities its aiming to eliminate through the mission.

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

(6) Interestingly, children with SEND or eligible for FSM tend to do better in areas where there are more of them. This could be economies of scale, more effective support where children are less a minority, or for SEND could be areas identifying more kids w SEND who need less support to reach GLD.

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

(5) We ran regressions to see which demographic factors best explain local authority variation in the share of children reaching a good level of development (GLD). The share of children with SEND was the strongest predictor, followed by the share of children eligible for free school meals.

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Sophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · Mar 24

(4) There's only 6 ppts of variation in school readiness between regions, but more when comparing the most deprived parts of regions (9ppts), and most substantial variation (>20ppts) at a local authority level.

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