There have been few other policies in the last fifty years considered to be more pivotal to the success of early intervention and cementing the links with vulnerable families than the establishment of children’s centres. Barnardo’s is one of the leading voluntary sector providers of children’s centres, currently managing 190 across England. These centres provide for a range of needs – from a broad service open to anyone, through to more tailored provisions focusing on particular issues including breastfeeding support, parenting classes and groups to support mums, dads and carers. They work in partnership with commissioners delivering essential services whilst also trying to proactively find and engage families who may not seek out services themselves but are nevertheless in high need.
Children’s centres were created with the purpose of improving ‘outcomes for young children and their families and reducing inequalities between families in the greatest need’. Research has shown that early intervention has a significant positive impact for children and it is widely agreed that children’s centres are unparalleled in their ability to provide this. However, although children’s centres are popular amongst those that use them, there is still limited awareness for some new parents about what they offer.
This report outlines how children’s centres can further support parents and children, by providing the mandatory birth registration service directly within local communities, with a particular focus on reaching the most disadvantaged families. During the course of this research, parents, children’s centre staff and registrars had the opportunity to set out the advantages, disadvantages and practical ways forward needed to establish this practice more widely.
