CP1141-15 - Provision of Children's Centre Services in South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge

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<b><u>CP1141-15 Provision of Children Centre Services in South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge.</u></b> &n bsp; <b>National Context </b> Children Centre Services are the key delivery mechanism for the local authority to meet their statutory duties referenced in the Childcare Act 2006, and Working Together 2013. They are seen as an integral part of how the Local Authority carry out the duties set out in the Act above to improve the well-being of young children and reduce inequalities between them. Children Centre Services are identified as key delivery partners within the Early Help strategy and Targeted Families Support programme (national Troubled Families Programme) and are critical to the delivery of Early Help to children and families from pre-birth through to 5 years of age. The core purpose of children centre services is to improve outcomes for young children and their families and reduce inequalities between families in greatest need and their peers (Statutory Guidance and section 2 Childcare Act 2006) The 2013 statutory guidance for local authorities, commissioners of local health services and Job Centre Plus emphasises that integrated services should be provided locally close to where families live and for Children centre services to act as community hub either through co-ordinating the delivery of services from DCC owned buildings or community venues. They will: &n bsp; Ensure access to universal services that all families can reach, including those delivered in partnership with the maternity and health visiting service, childcare/early education providers ensuring that families receive good quality advice and information on all Early Childhood services. &n bsp; Ensure the provision of targeted evidenced based interventions for the most vulnerable children and their families in greatest need of support. &n bsp; Promote healthy life styles ensuring health messages are embedded in all activities and services. &n bsp; The Children's centre component of delivering the Early Help strategy and the expanded National Troubled Families Programme will fulfil the core purpose whilst maximising opportunities for integrated delivery, management efficiencies and reducing duplication in meeting the overarching outcomes of the Early Help Strategy and the national Troubled families programme. The Integrated Early Help service is made up of early education and childcare, social services functions of the local authority relating to young children and prospective parents, health services related to young children and prospective parents, training and employment services to assist parents and prospective parents and information, advice and guidance for parents ..(view full details to see more)