Foster Families

Campaign sets out priorities for new government to deliver a Sure Start for children and families

As the new Coalition Government publishes its policies and programme for office, the ‘shout out for a sure start campaign’ is setting out 5 priorities to ensure that children and families get the help and support they need.

Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children, the charity leading the campaign, said: “We are delighted that the new coalition government has recognised the importance of Sure Start Children’s Centres in their plans.  Parents consistently tell us how important they are and what crucial support they offer – especially when things get tough.  That’s why the ‘shout out for a sure start campaign’ wants to see children’s centres at the heart of the Governments plans to support children and families – with trusted staff on hand, near to home,  to offer advice and support to help families flourish.

“The network of Children’s Centres provides a powerful springboard to break the cycle of disadvantage for some of the most vulnerable families in the country – our priorities for action show what the new Government now needs to do to make this happen.”

Shout out for a sure start priorities:

1. Put Sure Start children’s centres at the heart of local support for children and families ensuring that families get help early, when they need it and close to home – extend the reach to extended families and those with older children

2. Maintain investment in children’s centres but ensure the money gets to the frontline – investing in young children and their families is investing in all our futures and will pay dividends in the long term

3. Increase the focus on health by requiring Primary Care Trusts to work hand in hand with children’s centres - increasing support from Health Visitors and midwives

4. Focus the work of the 3,500 centres on early intervention for the most disadvantage parents but keep the doors open to everyone in the area – that’s what parents say they want

5. Ensure staff have the skills and experience to help children and families - extend training for centre managers to include business, enterprise and community development

The Shout Out for a Sure Start campaign was launched in February to highlight and support the trailblazing work of children’s centres and their importance in supporting young children and their families. The campaign is supported by UNISON and popular children’s TV character Peppa Pig.

For more information visit www.shoutoutforasurestart.org.uk.