The problem was highlighted at last week's Children Now conference onsustainable children's centres and comes ahead of joint guidance fromthe Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health onthe principles of involving health at the planning stage for children'scentres.
Kevin Woods, from the Sure Start Unit, said primary care trusts had toldthe unit that children's centres were not being built with the healthfacilities needed, such as large enough treatment rooms fortherapists.
The guidance would also identify good practice on what facilities areneeded, he said.
However, Angela Nelson, health visitor and acting manager at the LemonTree Children's Centre in Hull, said the move was "shutting the stabledoor once the horse had gone". Phase two planning for children's centresdid not come with money for new buildings, yet after phase one,therapists at Nelson's centre only have one suitable room in an area ofhigh deprivation.
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