Children's centres consultation: Clarification on duties

What’s it all about? As part of the government’s drive to reduce bureaucracy, the Department for Education has revisited the Sure Start Children’s Centres Statutory Guidance to ensure it is “concise, focused and clear about what is required by law”. The guidance was first issued in March 2010 and was revised in October 2010. The draft revised statutory guidance no longer specifies what children’s centres must do and how they must do it, but focuses on the “core purpose”, setting out the outcomes centres should seek to achieve. It does not impose any “new burdens” on local authorities or statutory partners, but provides clarification on duties.

What are the main points? Under the proposals, local authorities must make sure there are enough local children’s centres to meet the needs of young children and parents in the area, particularly those in greatest need of support. They must identify parents and those expecting a baby in their area who are unlikely to take advantage of early childhood services available and encourage them to do so. They must also ensure there are enough centres in their area to meet local need. The guidance states that the starting point should be a presumption against the closure of children’s centres.

Closures should only be made if the local authority can show that the outcomes for children, particularly the most disadvantaged, would not be adversely affected. They must ensure there is consultation before opening a new children’s centre; making a significant change to the range and nature of services provided through a children’s centre; closing a children’s centre; merging centres; or reducing the services provided to such an extent that it no longer meets the statutory definition of a Sure Start Children’s Centre. The guidance also states that local authorities, health services and ?Jobcentre Plus should “think imaginatively” about how children’s centres can help families to engage with services.

Who can have their say? Local authorities, representatives of health services, children’s centre staff, the voluntary and ?community sector, parents and carers, schools and childcare providers are all encouraged to respond.

When is the deadline? Friday 1 June.

When will the findings be published? The results of the consultation and the department’s response, along with the revised guidance, will be published on the DfE e-consultation website in the summer.

www.education.gov.uk/consultations/