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Memorandum submitted by Northamptonshire County Council
1. Background Northamptonshire will have fifty Sure Start Children's Centre's across seven boroughs and districts by March 2010.
Over these phases the development has been · Phase one - five centres · Phase two - twenty six centres · Phase three - nineteen centres
All Phase one and two projects in terms of service development and capital builds were delivered on time and in budget.
2. Reach areas and funding allocation method Reach areas allocated via clustering SOA's together based around areas of deprivation. Funding has been allocated to Centres based on a formulaic approach which considered: § 0-5 SOA population of their reach § Base funding to ensure core services § A per child allocation is calculated, this is weighted higher per child allocation in 30% IMD Super Output Areas ensuring support for the Child poverty agenda and NI 92 § 2010/11 Allocations range from £126,153 (Phase 3, no deprivation, 570 pop.) to £467,564 (Phase 2, 90% of pop within IMD 30%, 893 pop)
3. Service delivery Across the 3 phases, different methods of "roll out" around service development pursued. § Phase 1 Centres became SSCC's as a result of either SSLP or other initiatives, e.g. NNI. § Phase 2 Centres were developed by NCC pro-actively approaching organisations (17 schools (all age ranges), 5 voluntary sector, 3 Libraries and 1 PCT). § Phase 3 Centres followed a tendering exercise, advertised within the national press · 8 awarded to a national charity (Action for Children) · 11 awarded to arms length organisation of the Northamptonshire PCT (PSALMO)
Staffing arrangements differ from site to site; models include directly employed, clustered approach and commissioned services. All centres are required to have a designated 'leader or manager', first point of contact/information staff, outreach staff and qualified teacher (where required).
4. Partnership working All Centres are required to have a 'Local Advisory Board, this includes representation from parents and professionals working in the locality. Consultation with families at a local level has been a key element to developing the centres, all service providers are required to ensure that the Children's Centre is able to meet the needs of its local community. This is required at all stages of service development and delivery. Careful planning is required to ensure services are being accessed by those most need in, this included close working arrangements with health visitors, schools, voluntary groups and other professionals in the locality. Delivery methods are then adapted accordingly, using a variety of locations across the reach area, including the family home.
To ensure all centres have a minimum offer of core services countywide agreements are in place with the PCT (including CAMHS and Breastfeeding Support), Job Centre Plus, Childminding support and Early Support. NCC Families Information Services provides on-going support and up to date information to all centres.
5. Performance management All centres are required to develop a business plan in the first instance. Each lead body (Governance arrangement for the Children's Centre) has a Service Level Agreement or contract with NCC up to 31st March 2011. Base line data has been established for each Children's Centre reach area against the national and local determined performance indicators. Monitoring takes place on a six monthly basis, this includes financial, qualitative and quantitative reports and data. The focus of this process is on improving outcomes rather than amount of activity. The centres are required to feedback on data regarding access by the most in need and parental satisfaction. The monitoring process includes the SEF/Annual conversation. For Children's Centres with childcare reporting on childcare aspect is a completely separate function. This ensures cross subsidy does not take place. Where issues are identified appropriate intervention can take place, this can include withholding funding and providing specialist support. This process ensures that funding is spent appropriately, it is targeted to areas of need and ultimately outcomes are improved.
6. Funding Over 95% of allocated children's centre revenue funding from the annual Sure Start Grant has been delegated to lead bodies. § 08/09 = £8.7 million § 09/10 = £11.1 million § 10/11 = £12.7 million (projected)
7. NCC support function A mixture of area support and central support staff deliver functions associated with Children's Centres. Additional support functions of the team include: § Children's Centre capital developments § Supporting schools to develop their Extended Service in and through schools agenda § Adherence to Childcare Act 2006, including sufficiency § Support area working developments, incorporating integrated service delivery § Families Information Service
8. Further information · 85% of Centres on NCC Land or NCC premises therefore sustainability and claw back risks minimised · Designation for all Phase three SSCC's will be complete by March 2010, the Capital development will be completed by summer 2010 (80%+ by 31st March 2010).
Northamptonshire's development and delivery method is unique across the East Midlands. We believe it provides excellent 'value for money' to the public purse, demonstrated by allocation of funding delivering frontline services. Delegating significant funding to the Centres allows them to develop services in response to localised need and demand; they are far more knowledgeable about the community they serve than we can be. This also supports the principle they are a hub of their local community, helping Centres to become embedded and thus enhancing their sustainability. This method also dovetails Northamptonshire County Council's aim of becoming a smaller more enabling Local Authority and is central to the development of area working across the Children and Young Peoples Services directorate.
October 2009 |