Principles and Outcome Areas

The Sure Start Programme is supported by a number of key principles:

• To co-ordinate, streamline and add value to existing services for young children and their families in local communities
• To involve parents
• To avoid stigma
• To ensure lasting support
• To be sensitive to local families needs and
• To promote the participation of all local families

Services provided by projects must:

• add value to existing/planned services
• be based upon evidence of what interventions are successful
• imaginatively respond to local need
• be informed by strategic direction

All Sure Start work focuses on 4 main outcome areas:

1. Improving social and emotional development
2. Improving health and well-being
3. Improving the ability to learn
4. Strengthening families and communities