Sector backs Lib Dem Sure Start plans
Emily Watson
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sector leaders are urging the Conservatives to back Liberal Democrat policies on Sure Start, so middle-class families are not denied access to children's centres under the coalition government.
The Conservatives pledged to refocus Sure Start to cater for the neediest families before the election, but the Liberal Democrats back an open-to-all approach.
The parties also differ in their views on Sure Start outreach workers, with the Lib Dems' commitment to extending the service at odds with the Tories' plans to partly substitute workers with 4,200 health visitors.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said additional health services in children's centres would be welcome, but not at the expense of wider support.
"We are convinced that children's centres need to remain universal as the most effective way of supporting families who need them," she said.
Rhian Beynon, head of policy and campaigns at charity Family Action, added: "Children's centres are important, not only in supporting children's development but also the support that parent participation in the centres provides, which applies to all families."
Helen Donohoe, director of public policy at Action for Children, said the evidence that Sure Start centres benefits all families should speak for itself.
"Sure Start children's centres have a track record of having a positive impact," she said. "They are a proven tool in early intervention."
The Department for Education was unable to comment on the future of Sure Start services as CYP Now went to press.
