Sure Start

The role of Children's Centres in early intervention

Report that shows how children's centres have steadily grown in number and reach since their original purpose as highly targeted forms of intervention in 1997. Since 2010 there has been a pressure from government for them to re-focus their attention.

This research shows that under the new model of funding, expenditure on Children's Centres has fallen since 2010 by an estimated 28%.

The impact of Sure Start Local Programmes on seven year olds and their families

The ultimate goal of Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs) was to enhance the life chances for young children growing up in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Children in these communities were at risk of doing poorly at school, having trouble with peers and agents of authority (i.e., parents, teachers), and ultimately experiencing compromised life chances (e.g., early school leaving, unemployment, limited longevity).

This report looks at the impact of Sure Start on seven year olds and their families.