While the original centres were based in deprived areas, the guarantee of one in every community means resources will be "spread more thinly", MPs on Parliament's Public Accounts Committee warned last week. "Local authorities should distribute resources so that disadvantaged families continue to be a priority," the committee's report said.
The MPs called for a renewed focus on reaching the most disadvantaged families, more training for staff and support for managers, better partnerships with primary care trusts and greater dissemination of good practice. Clare Tickell, chief executive of children's charity NCH, said Sure Start was having a real impact but added: "All children's centres must listen to the needs of the communities they serve and tailor support accordingly."
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