One of the main focuses of our work is the support, challenging and monitoring of local authorities’ and other agencies’ progress in improving outcomes for children under 13 and their families. This covers the delivery of Sure Start Children’s Centres, Extended Schools and sufficient childcare. we also work with partners throughout the region to help put into practice the aims of the Childcare Act.
We work with local authorities to help develop their Children and Young People’s Plans. These plans set out the priorities for a local area and are one of the yardsticks against which local authorities have their performance measured.
Under the management of Government Offices are the Department for Children, Schools and Families programmes Children’s Fund and Sure Start. The Children’s Fund was set up to prevent children and their families suffering the consequences of poverty. We work with Children’s Fund partnerships to develop flexible and responsive services for children and young people aged 5-13 at risk of social exclusion.
Sure Start brings together early education, childcare, health and family support so that every child gets the best possible start in life. It mainly delivers services in disadvantaged areas, and we work to deliver the programme in the regions.
