15/03/04 - Council to look at rural areas for Children Centre plots

On Tuesday 16thMarch, at 10am at the Courts in Carlisle, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet will consider which rural areas of the County will be involved in the Children’s Centres rural pilot scheme.  The areas put forward are Kirkby Thore, Windermere and Ambleside or Cartmel Peninsula.  Once the areas are identified, officers will begin work with statutory, voluntary and private sector representatives as well as local families to develop plans for the Rural Pilot Children’s Centres.

The National Strategy is to create Children’s Centres in the top 20% wards and areas of disadvantage in the County.  The Centres would combine early education with childcare for children under 5 years of age.

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 making 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.