Howdon Surestart – Final Report FindingsDr Chris Lanigan Policy and Research

Manager

Policy, Performance and Communications Unit

Report StructureExecutive Summary

Key Conclusions and Recommendations

Context / Questions / Data sources

Detailed Findings

The Big PictureSome evidence that it is effective – but

missing info means case cannot be proved

Differential commitment, engagement and mainstreaming

Therefore, imminent taper of funding is a threat

Key conclusions

Community InvolvementGood community / parental

involvement

Issues around: community “myths” (communication

with non-users / future users) Volunteer / staff prestige and role

Improvement to services…The buildingNew services (quality and quantity)Applying best practice rather than

innovationEmpowerment (BFG)Request for Service (cross agency

face to the public and one response)

….and outcomesChild Protection Register –14%Low birth rates down by over 50%

But some data points other way

And some data is unreliable (smoking) or missing (dentists, hospitals)

Views of local people and employees

• Local people – appear satisfied (but how robust was the research?)

• Frontline staff – were some problem issues…actions taken to address these (what would a new staff survey reveal?)

Management of the ProgrammeEffective Programme Manager

“core” of Partnership Executive working well, but attendance or commitment problems from Health sector

Knowledge and skills base

Breaking down professional barriers – induction vs pressure of work

Information gaps…

Leading regional approach to cost –efficiency (but need others on board to do this meaningfully)

Hard(er) evidence is needed to justify mainstreaming

Recommendations

High Level

Operational