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MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY UNISON
Summary
· The submission is submitted on behalf of UNISON, the
· UNISON represents a range of staff working in children's centres including; early years staff, social workers, parental outreach workers, health staff and centre managers.
· Staff in children's centres overwhelmingly report that centres are making a positive impact on children's lives and that in particular they are improving both the range and quality of services available to children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
· Staff believe that children's centres have significantly improved inter-agency working and co-operation between all partners. Staff thought that children's centres were working most effectively in partnership with health services and comparatively less effectively with schools and the voluntary sector.
· There remain issues with the staffing and governance of centres, in particular the relationship with schools. However, most staff reported the positive nature of their experience of working in children's centres and believe that children's centres are making a real difference to children's lives and future life chances.
As one family support worker says,
"I think Children's Centres make sense. There has always been talk of integrated working and sharing information but it has never actually been put into practice until now! The Centres are paramount in leading the way in integrated working and sharing information. We have to stop working in isolation as professionals and working together really does benefit families and children. By bringing experts together in one place it allows families and children to get real long term solutions that can break the cycle and give them confidence and choices. It raises aspirations and drives parents to want more and feel worthwhile too. I believe that we are at the beginning and there is so much more we can still do to make our services stronger. But the key is definitely working together with as many professionals as possible."
Background
1. UNISON conducted an on-line survey of members in children's centres in September 2009. Whilst the survey questions did not directly correspond with those of the Select Committee inquiry they shared many of the same themes. The opinions and views quoted in this evidence are those of respondents in the UNISON survey.
2. Ninety two percent of survey respondents were women and the majority were employed by the local authority, which is reflective of UNISON's membership in this area.
Theme 1: The development of the children's centre programme
3. There is some sense amongst staff that some of the focus of the initial Sure Start Scheme has been lost as it has been expanded beyond the targeting of children from deprived areas.
4. Some respondents stated that there had not been the same amount of resource allocated to centres opened more recently. However most respondents believed that the children's centre programme offered significant benefits and that it was a service that should be offered in all communities.
5. Some respondents reported that significant benefits had been achieved by broadening the range of services offered and attracting a wider cross section of users from different backgrounds, thereby providing different role models and enabling service users to talk and learn from each other informally.
6. Although some reported they were frustrated that some centres did not offer the full range of services that the first wave of centres offered it was important that the offer the centre could make reflects the needs of the community that it is part of. The fact that all centres suit local circumstances and have developed differently is part of deliberate design of Sure Start.
Theme 2: The range and effectiveness of services provided by children's centres
7. All respondents to the survey indicated that their centre offered a very broad range of services to children. All stated that they offered; childcare, access to health services, family outreach services and access to social services.
8. Other services typically offered included; activities for under-fives, courses for parents, stay and play, parent and toddler groups, baby massage, benefit advice, breastfeeding, anti natal classes, toy libraries, housing and debt advice, ESOL classes, Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Job Club, speech and language therapy, parenting support, basic literacy, computer classes and Saturday clubs.
9. Ninety six percent of staff believed that children's centres had improved services to children and that children's centres were making a difference in improving children's lives and future life chances
10. When asked about examples of effective working practice, typical comments included:
11. "We can share information easily and involve other agencies in our group work to provide further support for families. Other agencies gain a greater understanding of the work we do and can signpost families to our services. We can refer families for further support by using our close relationships with Family Support Workers. It works really well to join up our working with workers who we have built relationships with and to appreciate each other's work."
12. "We have regular sessions and contact with the speech and language therapists attached to our centre. This has led to several children being referred for speech and language therapy much earlier than I have experience of when I was working in a day nursery. This early intervention has a positive impact on the children's development."
13. "...we have colleagues from health sitting alongside us and working together to support families. We can share expertise, training and provide support under one roof to respond to most families needs."
14. "We have helped people into training and in looking for work. As well as identifying opportunities for volunteering which then gives them the confidence to take up work. Health Services taking place in children's centres have helped families to use other services."
15 "We've taken a lot of stick about not improving 'outcomes', but a scheme like this takes time to be effective. I think it works - families from areas perceived as 'better' are clamouring for our services, but sometimes it's difficult to engage with those that need the services most, but that's why we're here. I hope we can keep going and prove the critics wrong."
Theme 3: Funding, sustainability and value for money
16. The key concern about the sustainability of children's centres was doubts about potential public service cuts and in particular statements by commentators, think tanks and politicians about the effectiveness and future of Sure Start.
17. Staff reported concerns that a lack of political will could impact on the long term sustainability of the programme. Particularly in areas of deprivation, staff felt it was important that there was ongoing core public funding in the Sure Start Scheme to make them sustainable and successful. In areas of deprivation, it was felt, there is simply not the family income nor the incentive for the private and voluntary sector to offer high quality services for those most in need.
18. The view of staff was that by delivering quality services to children in areas of deprivation Sure Start Children's Centres were achieving their goals and delivering excellent long term benefits and value for money.
19. Good quality early years provision can deliver significant benefits in terms of increased educational participation and qualifications, economic activity and earnings, but also in cutting youth crime, substance abuse and poor health. Staff believed that centres could make a real long term impact in some of these areas and were extremely concerned that benefits could be lost in any short term cost cutting measures.
20. Concern was also expressed about the potential impact of the introduction of the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) and whether levelling down of funding rates for children's centres would make the current offer unsustainable in the long term. Children's Centres typically have a higher ratio of qualified and professional staff and are often centres of excellence for good practice in the early years sector in their area.
21. Typical comments form staff were:
22. "Things have definitely moved along way in the two years I have been in this sector however they appear to be at stalemate due to financial hurdles, there is not enough money available to facilitate changes in service."
23. "Sadly, I feel that the future of children's centres is uncertain. We strive to provide the best start and the highest service for the children in our area. I know that we are not sustainable due to running costs and staffing costs and are not given a budget. To enable us to continue providing an essential service and for future generations we have to have a part budget allocated to us by our local borough."
24. "...intensive input by qualified and skilled workers, working together across agencies, is the only way to make a difference to children and families and Children's Centres provide a base from which to do this. To remove them would be a backward step because by the time children reach school it is often too late. More funding should be put into early intervention and less would then be needed for child protection."
Theme 4: Staffing, governance, management and strategic planning
25. Staff reported that there are some issues with the staffing and governance arrangements in children's centres.
26. Sometimes these were the result of structural or cultural differences such as different IT systems between different agencies or confusion around line management, supervision and professional support. Some reported that some agencies had different priorities and targets from each other and that this could impact on work.
27. There remain significant disparities in pay and conditions between staff from different agencies and professional backgrounds working in children's centres.
28. Staff working in 'childcare' are often on significantly lower pay and worse conditions than other staff within the centres. This is particularly the case where the childcare element of the offer is provided by the private or voluntary sector and these staff do not have access to the same pensions and holidays as other staff.
29. This can cause professional resentment and hinder joint work and professional respect. This was particularly the case where children's centre staff compared the work they are doing with the teacher in the setting and then compared the comparative pay and benefits.
30. Some staff reported that where schools led the children's centre, head teachers sometimes struggled to understand the concept, role and strategy of the centre and that this could cause conflict with the centre manager and impact of the effectiveness of the centre.
Theme 5: Working with other partners
31. Staff in children's centres thought that partnership working was one of the key elements to a successful children's centre. The bringing together of services and of professional expertise had enhanced the services to children and made them more accessible to families. Staff were generally very positive about their experiences of working in partnership.
32. Staff in the survey were asked to comment on how well their centre was working with other partners and whether the creation of children's centres had improved joint working practices.
33. Ninety two percent of respondents said that they believed that the creation of children's centres had improved joined up services to children.
34. Staff were also asked to rate between 1-5 how effectively children's centres were working with respective partners. 1 represented very effectively and 5 being not at all effective.
35. The results from this question were:
36. This shows that staff believe that children's centres are working most effectively with health services, where 73% of staff believe they are working either effectively or very effectively. However, in schools and the voluntary sector this percentage drops to 40% and 37% respectively.
37. When asked about there experience of working with partners, comments included:
38. "Whilst there is still work to do, the centres have made links with health colleagues especially health visitors and midwifes; the private, voluntary and independent sector providers such as day care providers and those offering other support services. There is also more LA inter-departmental working happening rather than working in silos.'
39. "Working alongside health professionals has improved communication and understanding of roles. This has increased referrals between agencies and openness and communication."
40. "We have co located early years, integrated services team, health visitors, midwives, social care colleagues and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services workers. All being located in the same offices has made joined up working for families much easier and smoother."
41. "Many parents are coming into the Centre to use the joined up services between health and Children's Centre. These early services have brought some of the hard to reach families that have then continued to attend other groups. Children Centre's are ice breakers and give confidence to parents about attending."
42. "Through CAF panels and improved communication with a range of different services we are sharing information and providing crucial early interventions.'
43. "I think the joined up working between Health Visitors has improved vastly. I also feel that taking health services out of traditional venues and putting them into Children's Centres has meant parents can access support from one convenient venue."
44. "I work as a Psychologist in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and there is a service level agreement for my two days working at the Children's Centre. This has enabled a really useful link between the two services for advice, consultation, supervision, effective referrals and sharing specialist knowledge."
45. "It has taken some time to get there but I feel that we have finally got a much more joined up service at point of delivery for families with under-fives."
Theme 6: Are services being accessed by the most vulnerable?
46. Ninety three percent of children's centre staff believe that centres have improved range and quality of the services available to children from deprived backgrounds.
47. Respondents quoted numerous examples of how they were able to reach the most vulnerable including those just outside the threshold for social care intervention.
48. A minority of respondents reported that services aimed at the disadvantaged were been utilised by other families and others felt that more work needed to be done with fathers. However, the overwhelming response was that important work was being achieved and that real progress was being made in this area.
49. Typical comments include:
50. "Families are starting to have aspirations for themselves and their children. We have had parents who have gained not only the necessary skills but also the confidence to obtain work. Children are being identified earlier where additional support is required."
51. "Children's Centres offer children from deprived backgrounds, who may not otherwise have the chance, the opportunity to interact with other children, have play experiences and develop meaningful relationships with adults. In these and many other ways services can support the child's development in line with their peers."
52. "By working with the local council, local trainers, employers and Jobcentre Plus, we have helped many families get closer to fulfilling their potential, while all the time ensuring the well being of ALL the children in the family."
53. "The service I provide is support for breastfeeding mothers. We have found that by using a drop-in during a child health clinic rather than a stand alone support group, we are much more likely to attract 'hard to reach' parents."
54. "I feel that we have made an impact on the lives of young children in the highly deprived area that we are in. The services we provide give local families access to activities where children and their parents/carers can socialise and therefore helping to prevent isolation. Parents/carers wishing to train to gain employment can access funding to help with the cost of childcare. This has had a huge impact on the economic well-being and positive self images for these families."
55. "My team work mostly with children in care or on the child protection register. The integrated services offer very good generic services for general public use but these are accessed by the more able local people. There is still a HUGE gap in provision of preventative services for vulnerable children and families."
56. "We can attract those who might be intimidated by a more institutional setting. We focus on early intervention and prevention and encourage parents and carers to interact with their children in a non-judgemental and positive way."
57. "We have been able to identify vulnerable families within our community much earlier by working closely with midwives and health visitors. We have supported the childcare costs of some children in order to help with socialisation and development. We provide opportunities for play, particularly, for children who have little stimulation at home."
58. "The Children's Centre allows for services to be offered to families who do not meet the threshold for social care intervention. It also means that vulnerable parents can be identified in pregnancy and offered early intervention."
59. "We provide services to families whose problems are not yet serious enough to warrant intervention from Social Care. By doing so we not only provide practical help but we also make these families feel valued and help to avoid intervention becoming needed."
60. "The centre's groups are still dominated by better-off families, and the more needy families remain difficult to reach and engage."
61. "We have a dedicated father's worker who has managed to double our percentage of fathers attending the children's centres and engage them in relationship work with their children. Our courses appeal to vulnerable families for instance, debt and money issues, healthy eating, literacy, computer literacy and safety in the home and first aid."
62. "A lot of our work involves working with families who have a number of complexities. I do not believe this would happen as much if it wasn't for family support workers knocking on doors and escorting families to services. I live in Redbridge and Children's Centres are only just getting set up but my son is now four and has missed out on all the goodness that Tower Hamlets has to offer."
63. "The level of training of children's centre staff is extremely high. There is also a great understanding about infant mental health. The staff at this children's centre have been able to engage with families where other services have failed to engage."
October 2009
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