Fifteen local authorities have been chosen to run the Government-fundedtrials, focusing on families less likely to use free care for three- andfour-year-olds.
Liverpool's scheme is already up and running. It aims to reach up to 420children. Referrals can be made by health visitors, childminder networkco-ordinators, family link workers and teachers, said Jan Gallagher,co-head of the city's Sure Start scheme.
These workers will look out for children with communication, language ordevelopmental difficulties, challenging behaviour or disabledsiblings.
It will also look at those in families affected by post-nataldepression, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness or withthree or more children under five.
Liverpool's trial builds on a local authority-funded scheme over thepast year, which has already given 40 two-year-olds free places involuntary settings. The authority will continue to focus on voluntarysettings for the trial but parents can choose private or children'scentre provision if it is more convenient.
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