Children's centres 

As part of the Government's Sure Start initiative, the Children’s Centre programme has been rolled out in three phases across every local authority, with major capital funding aimed at drawing together children’s services and ensuring the best possible outcome for every child. 

Initially, the focus was on providing centres in areas of high deprivation.   Now, the aim is to ensure that every child under five has ready access to the facilities and services offered by children’s centres by the end March 2010.

The Diocese has recognised that children’s centres offer a valuable way for schools and parishes to reach out to their communities, and to those most in need. It is seen as a way of expressing gospel values and many church schools have readily accepted the invitation to host centres, working holistically with other agencies to look at the wider needs of children and families, beyond the classroom.

For more information contact Linda Penny or Theresa Gale.