4.3 million parents could be without access to early support services

Findings from the charity's survey of more than 2,000 parents of children from birth to five, reveals that 82 per cent have been unable to access - or struggled to access - vital ‘lifeline’ early years support including child development and parenting support. When scaled up to represent all parents in England, Action for Children says this equates to 4.3 million parents.

More than three-quarters of parents surveyed who were unable to access a service, typically offered in children’s centres, said they were worried about the impact on themselves or their child. Worries included the impact on their child’s social and emotional development, their own wellbeing, their child’s ability to make friends as well as isolation and mental health.

Just over a quarter (27 per cent) said services have been completely unavailable within their local community as the Covid crisis forced many to close or move online.

The survey follows in-depth analysis by Nursery World last month highlighting concerns that a backlog of development checks and the move away from face-to-face health visiting and GP appointments could risk children ‘slipping through the net’.

Action for Children is calling on the Government to use next month’s Spending Review to give parents 'a minimum service guarantee' of the services they should be able to access to help them give their child the best start in life.

CASE STUDY

Katie and her partner Jonathan live in North Devon with their three children, Lily (age 8), James (age 5) and Jack, eight months. When James turned one, the couple started to suspect delays in his development. Katie began to feel isolated due to a lack of support from professionals.

She said, ‘It was very worrying. I could see that he (James) was delayed and behind where other kids his age were. I would take James to see the paediatrician and we would be seen for five minutes and told to come back in a few months.’

James went through several assessments before being formally diagnosed with autism. Eventually, the couple were referred to their local Action for Children centre.

‘Being able to take James somewhere that was safe and contained where he could play happily and socialise was absolutely life changing’, said Katie. ‘We finally had somewhere where James wasn’t different and where we didn’t feel judged.'

In December 2020, Katie gave birth to her son Jack and continues to receive support from the children’s centre. 

'Vital lifeline services may be out of reach for most parents'

Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said, ‘Family life has been hugely disrupted since the pandemic hit and today’s report shows vital lifeline services which were already stretched, may be “out of reach” for most parents, leaving them to struggle alone. We know from our own frontline services that helping families as early as possible is more effective in the long-run so investing in high-quality centres and hubs in every community should be a core part of the “levelling-up” agenda.

‘The Government’s manifesto commitment to family hubs is an opportunity to ensure all parents and young children get the support they need to thrive. We urge the Chancellor to take urgent action in next month’s Spending Review to ensure councils can deliver a minimum service guarantee for parents and young children so all children get the best start in life.’

Tulip Siddiq, Labour’s shadow minister for children and early years, said, 'Chronic underfunding has seen vital children’s centres disappearing, childcare costs soaring and nearly 3,000 early years providers close during the first half of 2021.

'It’s time for ministers to put the needs of families first and ensure parents can access vital early years services which set children up for life.'

A Government spokesperson said, “We recognise that the early years of a child’s life are the most crucial, which is why we are championing Family Hubs, backed by £34 million, where parents can get important services for their children from infancy all the way up to age 19.

'We’re also investing millions in early years recovery, with a focus on speech, language and communication skills, and better training for staff.

'Through Dame Andrea Leadsom’s review, we are also encouraging councils to publish a clear "Start for Life" offer for parents and carers so they know what support is available locally – including the free childcare offers, in which we have invested more than £3.5 billion in each of the last three years.'