20/10/03 - Cabinet to discuss creating children's centres throughout Cumbria

On Tuesday 21stOctober at 10am at the Courts in Carlisle, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet will discuss the proposal that has been prepared for the DfES to create Children’s Centres throughout the County.  

The National Strategy is to create Children’s Centres in each of the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the County.  The Centres would combine nursery education, family support, employment advice, childcare and health services on one site.

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says

“This Initiative is entirely consistent with this Council’s commitment to improve the social, emotional and educational opportunities available for the children and young people of this County and gives us the opportunity to develop universal services.  This programme builds on the positive work already done through local Sure Start and Early Excellence programmes which indicates that positive early intervention and access to services has long term beneficial effect on children’s learning.”  

Advantages of bringing all services together  are as follows

• A single point of access to all Health, Social Services, Education, Voluntary Groups, Parent/User initiatives 
• More effective coordination of services 
• A resource for information and support to Parents / carers 
• Reduces duplication of services / 'red tape' 
• Allows Parents / Carers and children to move through agencies as their requirements change. 
• Informs families of the range of services respecting their choice in these. 
• Assists in identifying needs and shortfalls in services for those children / adults.