The development and expansion of Sure Start Scotland has been hailed asa success by a report commissioned by the Scottish Executive. The SureStart Scotland Mapping Exercise 2004 described the overall picture as"very positive".
"Sure Start continues to provide a flexible approach, combininguniversal and targeted services and respondents in this study allthought that Sure Start Scotland made a difference to the planning anddelivery of services as well as the families being supported," saidco-author Sarah Cunningham-Burley, who works at the Centre for Researchon Families and Relationships at the University of Edinburgh.
Local authorities claimed tangible benefits such as improved childbehaviour and development, and increased parental self-esteem. Thereport also found that there has been a year-on-year increase in thenumber of places for children and parents. In 1999/2000 Sure StartScotland supported 3,387 children, but by 2003/04 this had jumped to15,400.
Eddie Follan, head of policy development at Children in Scotland,welcomed this increase and said: "It is encouraging that 15,000vulnerable children are benefiting from Sure Start."
However, he expressed concern that the "report highlights the continuingneed for a national strategic approach to childcare in Scotland thatwould benefit all children, similar to the 10-year plan in England".
In the report, Sure Start contact officers said that there have beenconsiderable developments in integrated working across sectors althoughmany said further improvements could be made in integrating withhealth.
Officers also voiced concerns about unmet need with demand outstrippingsupply, suggesting Sure Start needs to develop and expand stillfurther.
FACT BOXThe objectives of Sure Start Scotland:- Improve children's social and emotional development- Improve children's health- Improve children's ability to learn- Strengthen families and communities- www.scotland.gov.uk
