Local Sure Start Programmes

A significant part of the Government's main Sure Start strategy is the development of Sure Start local programmes. These are specifically for families with children under the age of four and are concentrated in small neighbourhoods where there are a high proportion of children living in poverty. Sure Start local programmes work with parents-to-be, parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of babies and young children, so they thrive both at home and when they get to school. The aim is to break the cycle of disadvantage and social exclusion, which is often faced by young people and families living in these areas.

Each Sure Start local programme must provide the following core services in an integrated and coherent way:

• Outreach and home visiting,
• Support to parents and families,
• Support for good quality play, learning and childcare experiences,
• Primary and community health and social care, including advice about family health and child health and development,
• Support of children and parents with special needs, including help getting access to specialised services.

North East Lincolnshire has five Sure Start local programmes. Although each of these work very closely with the Early Years and Childcare Department and the EYDCP, and form an integral part of the National Sure Start Strategy, these programmes are actually run by local, independent management boards, which strongly emphasise the involvement of local parents. The Government insists that all programmes must involve parents and families as fully as possible in the planning, review and evaluation of all the local Sure Start programme activities and services.

The Sure Start local programmes provide a range of new and improved services for children (under four) and their families in the Nunsthorpe and Bradley Park, East Marsh, West Marsh/Yarborough, Northern Cleethorpes, Grange and Grimsby Town Centre areas of North East Lincolnshire. Services and activities are delivered by a partnership of voluntary and statutory agencies, with the aim of providing excellent and easily accessible advice, support and practical help.

The details of the five Sure Start local programmes are as follows: