Policy and Politics
Cameron sets out plans for more targeted Sure Start
Sure Start children's centres would move away from providing universal services for all parents with young children and focus on the most disadvantaged and 'dysfunctional' families, under Conservative plans for 'a new generation' of Sure Start centres.
Conservative leader David Cameron said the new model of Sure Start would focus on early intervention, with staff paid partly by results.
Speaking last week, he reiterated the Conservatives' commitment to Sure Start but said it had lost its focus.
He said, 'There is little accountability in how Sure Start money is spent, so the funding doesn't necessarily follow the support programmes that work. There's not enough diversity of provision, because the voluntary sector and other community organisations have been crowded out.'
Mr Cameron said research from the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners had identified what worked and that the Tories would invite independent organisations with a proven track record in parenting interventions, like Lifeline and 4Children and HomeStart, to run children's centres.
However, Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said Sure Start should remain universal.
'One of the great advantages of children's centres is that they do not stigmatise families because they are available to all, something that families tell us is very important,' she said.
Mr Cameron likened the Conservatives' ambition for Sure Start to the success of the Academy schools programme, in that centres would be independent and operate outside local government and funded directly by central government.
