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Effective integration of services, a positive ethos and a 'can do' approach by professionals at Sure Start children’s centres are providing invaluable support for children, their families and the local community, according to Ofsted’s latest report, The impact of integrated services on children and their families in Sure Start children’s centres, published today.

Surveying 20 children’s centres in six local authorities – all within the 30 per cent most deprived areas in the country – this small scale survey found over half of the centres are providing effective integration of services in supporting children and their parents making life changing differences. Leadership and management are rated good and outstanding in 15 of the centres visited.

Learning and development of children and parents is also good or outstanding in over half of the centres visited, with some schools reporting that centres are helping children’s attitude to learning and social development as they move into primary school.

Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said: 'These children’s centres provide a range of invaluable services in supporting children and their families in the some of the most disadvantaged communities. The enthusiasm and commitment among professionals in the centres working in education and care, health and social care is evident and deserves recognition.

'However, more partnership work needs to be developed and supported and we recommend that schools work more closely with children’s centres. This will help to track the development of children who have received support from the centres.'

The successful integration of services has made life-changing differences to some parents and their children, particularly for families with children who have learning difficulties, disabilities and delays in physical development. These children and their parents are well supported, with good early interventions and prompt referrals. In one example, an outstanding centre provided a nursery class for disabled children, working in close association with a nearby primary special school and assessment centre. Parents of disabled children were very positive about the progress their children made and the classes were very much valued by parents as it enabled them some respite time.

Engagement with children and families in potentially vulnerable situations continues to be a challenge. Half of the centres visited were finding it problematic to reach out to the most vulnerable families that may not ask for support, but where need is greatest.

However, where staff at centres are able to engage and support families the outcomes can transform lives. One mother talked of how she believed the centre’s family support workers had enabled her family to stay together: in her words, to ‘save my family’. The mother and her three children were placed in a women’s refuge after suffering domestic abuse. On referral to the centre, family support workers arranged for the oldest child to receive counselling and helped the mother to cope with her situation. The support the centre provided has helped the family to stay together and the mother is now preparing to return to work.

In extending the services for the community, the centres provide training and opportunities for the sharing of best practice for childminders. Two of the centres have also extended beyond parents and children to include young people in the area. They opened up their grounds for recreation and sports, and at least one centre welcomed young people onto their skills training courses.

Parents from all social backgrounds are positive about the integrated services provided within their communities. Those from inner city areas particularly appreciate being able to access a range of professional support and guidance under one roof.

However, children’s centres serving rural communities faced particular challenges. The levels of need are similar to those in inner city centres, but geographic isolation adds an additional layer of difficulty and cost in bringing services to their communities.

The report makes a number of recommendations including that the Department for Children, Schools and Families should work with the Department for Work and Pensions, to improve the joint working between Jobcentre Plus and children’s centres. Children’s centres should improve the use of self-evaluation through quantitative analysis of the outcomes for children and their families. Local authorities should encourage schools and children’s centres to work more closely together.

1. The impact of integrated services on children and their families in Sure Start children’s centres report can be found at www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/080253.

2. 20 children centres were chosen from six local authorities. The local authorities were selected as they represented a diverse mix of local authorities across the country. All centres visited fell within the 30% most deprived areas defined by Super Output Area. Evidence was accumulated through interviews with centre staff, service providers and parents, and through direct observation of the work of the centres. In addition, interviews were held with representatives of local authorities and with the headteachers and key staff of associated primary schools.

3. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

4. Media can contact the Ofsted Press Office through 020 7421 6899 or via Ofsted's enquiry line 08456 404040 between 8.30am - 6.30pm Monday - Friday. Out of these hours, during evenings and weekends, the duty press officer can be reached on 07919 057359.