Opinion: We must not lose sight of Sure Start's aim

Several studies have cast doubt on the programme's ability to improve childrens' cognitive abilities and to narrow the gap between deprived children and the rest. The huge sums thus far committed to Sure Start - including a £3bn tranche from 2008-11 to bring the network up to the government's target of 3,500 centres, have prompted some commentators (mainly in the media) to question the programme's very right to exist.

That reaction is alarmist and misguided. But concern that Sure Start is not reaching the most deprived groups, and that its ambitious expansion will mean resources are spread too thinly, needs serious attention on three fronts.

First, centre managers ought not to begin by regarding people as hard to reach, but of striving to ensure services aren't hard to reach. Exemplifying this is the Maden Community and Children's Centre in Rossendale - which this year won the Children's Stars award for children's centre team of the year. It runs a scheme where volunteer drivers take families to health and other appointments. Previously, parents didn't attend appointments, often because they clashed with lengthy journeys to and from school.

Second, centres must pull out the stops to engage local communities in shaping the style and content of services. Involving the most disadvantaged in this way boosts the likelihood of them engaging with services in the longer term and participating in wider community life.

Third, a centre is only as effective as its staff. Training must focus on understanding the impact of poverty and disadvantage on family life and on overcoming barriers to communication with disadvantaged groups. Moreover, the values of those leading delivery influence the attitudes and aspirations of the parents. So if staff are proactive in helping parents, for instance, gain employment, parents will be more likely to act on their own initiative in the future. This last point is made in research group Capacity's detailed study of the impact of four centres (see p4).

Sure Start was conceived with the aim of helping to reduce poverty. As the rollout of centres continues to accelerate, we cannot afford to lose sight of this prime purpose.