The creation of a Sure Start Children’s Centre in every community continues.
Children’s Centres will bring together services for children, generally in one building, focused on the needs of the local community. The first centres have grown out of the Sure Start Local Programmes which were located in areas where providing a child with the best start in life presents particular challenges.
 Every Children’s Centre in the areas of highest need will include:
- Early education with childcare, including links to local childminders.
- Family support and outreach to parents.
- Child and family health services.
- Links with schools and information sources, e.g. the Children’s Information Service, Jobcentre Plus etc.
Not all children’s centres will offer services in the same way. As the developments in Cheshire branch out into the rural and more advantaged areas, the needs of local children will change and the centres will be more a place of information and support. In all centres, local consultation with communities will play a part in shaping the services offered.
Ric Turnock, Children’s Centre Strategy Manager, took some time out to explain how Cheshire County Council has developed the concept of Children’s Centre into a reality...
Ric. The concept of children’s centres was initiated in 2003 and we are now starting to see the opening of centres across Cheshire.
Why is the concept of children’s centres so different from the way services have been delivered before?
Ric. When accessing services for their children, many parents have to go to different locations and meet with various professionals, i.e. health visitors, speech and language therapists, midwife. Children’s Centres will allow parents to access the services for their children generally in one location or very close proximity. It will also allow professionals working with children to provide a more joined up service.
How many children’s centres will Cheshire have?
Ric. Cheshire is planning to provide approx 45 children’s centres to ensure access across the authority, all to be opened by 2010.
Which centres are currently open?
Ric. To date centres have opened at Westminster, Stanlaw Abbey and Central, Ellesmere Port; Over and Wharton, Winsford; Blacon, Chester; Underwood West and Monks Coppenhall, Crewe; Neston; and some services are delivered from Oakenclough, Wilmslow
What about future developments?
Ric. During the next few months building work will start at Lache, Chester; Greenfields, Winsford; Ashgrove and Broken Cross, Macclesfield; Manor Park Knutsford and Pebblebrook, Crewe with a further 15 before 2008.
Beyond 2008, development of children’s centres will continue to ensure that all of Cheshire’s children and their families have access to services delivered for children aged 0-4.
For more information go to www.cheshire.gov.uk/surestart or call Free on 0800 0852 863
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