Integrated Children's Centres: Overcoming Barriers to Truly Integrated Services

Designed to be a one-stop-shop to meet the needs of local communities, Children’s Centres represent a revolutionary shift in the way children’s services are delivered to families. Integrated Children’s Centres looks at the way in which Children’s Centre development has built upon the research and experiences of initiatives such as the HeadStart programme in America and the SureStart programme. Exploring the component elements of truly integrative services and the key players in ensuring positive outcomes: families, the local authority, PCT, private and voluntary sectors, and faith groups, this book covers:


the challenges faced by children’s centres


how to tackle social issues through the medium of children's centres


achieving effective multi-agency working and true collaboration


the essentials of leading and managing children’s centres


the benefits of early intervention


how to effectively deliver health care, education and children’s services.

Providing a wealth of case studies, this highly topical book will be of interest to nursery and children’s centres managers and early years practitioners enrolled on the NPQICL or EYPS programmes, as well as students working towards a degree in Early Childhood Studies or MA in Early Years.

Carole Beaty is currently setting up a children’s centre in West Sussex. She was previously Programme Manager at the Littlehampton Children’s Centre and a tutor on the NPQICL programme run by the National College of School Leadership. She has also lectured in Early Years at the University of Chichester.

Introduction 1. Why Sure Start Children’s Centres 2. The Background 3. Lessons from Abroad 4. Education 5. Health 6. Social Services 7. The Voluntary Sector 8. Training, Education and Employment 9. Parental Involvement 10. Children’s Centre Leadership 11. High Quality Leadership and the Early Years Professional Status Award 12. Accountability and Inspection Conclusion 13. Conclusion