Payment-by-results will also be trialled in children's centres in 30 areas, with the Government providing £3m to test how to reward children's centres and local authorities, according to how well they reach and support the most vulnerable families.
Ministers also want to look at fresh ways of running children's centres, such as mutuals and co-operatives, giving parents and communities more control.
Local authorities will also be required to publish details of how much they spend on children's services in their area.
The plans were put out for consultation last week. The Department for Education has been working to develop the document. The aim is to:
- set out what Government sees as the core purpose of children's centres in terms of outcomes for children and families
- explain the approaches of successful children's centres in delivering the core purpose
- set out the principles that sector leaders have developed to underpin the core purpose
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, (right), said, 'The Government's statement of a new core purpose for children's centres will allow professionals the chance to develop a more flexible, streamlined and less bureaucratic method of delivery and implementation. We will be looking at ways children's centres can play an even greater role in the lives of local communities.'
She added, 'We welcome the proposals for accountability in how local authorities spend money. Even though the Government provides £2bn in Early Intervention Grant, it is not ring-fenced. We want to see this money reaches the people it is intended for.'
'CORE PURPOSE' OF SURE START
Government vision
The Government believes children's centres should have a clear core purpose, focused on improving outcomes for young children and their families, with a particular focus on the most disadvantaged families, in order to reduce inequalities in child development and school readiness, supported by improved:
- parenting aspirations, self-esteem and parenting skills;
- child and family health and life chances.
Statement of intent:
The Government has worked with sector leaders to consider evidence and good practice, resulting in a co-produced statement of intent about how the core purpose can be achieved, by:
- Assessing need across the local community
- Providing access to universal early years services in the local area, including high-quality and affordable early years education and childcare
- Providing targeted, evidence-based early interventions for families in greatest need, in the overall context of integrated service provision
- Acting as a hub for the local community, building social capital and cohesion.
- Sharing expertise with other early years settings to improve quality.
Sector-led principles:
Sector leaders believe that all children's centre activity should be underpinned by the principles of:
- Respecting and engaging with parents
- Working in partnership across professional/agency boundaries
