The Aims of SureStart are to improve:
- The ability to learn by encouraging stimulating play, improving language skills and the early identification and support of children with learning difficulties;
- Health by supporting parents in caring for children and promoting children’s health and development;
- Social development by supporting the development of early relationships between parents and children, good parenting skills, family functioning and early identification and support of children with emotional, learning or behavioural difficulties.
The Key Principles of SureStart are:
• Co-ordinate, streamline and add value to existing services for young families in local communities, including signposting to specialised services;
• Involve parents;
• Avoid stigma;
• Ensure lasting support;
• Be sensitive to families’ needs; and
• Promote participation of all local families.
Core Elements of the SureStart Programme are:
- Outreach and home visiting services, aim to make contact as early as possible in a child’s life and draw families into using other services;
- Provide family support including befriending, social support and parenting information, both group and home based;
- Offer quality play, learning and childcare experiences for children (both group and home based);
- Offer Primary and community health care and advice;
- Offer Speech language and communication support;
- Support for all children in the community recognising their differing needs.
Policy Outcomes of SureStart are:
- Improved language skills.
- Early identification of developmental delay.
- Improved access to services.
- Enhanced parenting skills.
- Effectively integrated services.