Welcome to Sunderland Children’s Centres Volunteer Information Session

The story behind Children’s Centres 1999 Government announced radical new programme – Sure Start – to run alongside the Early Excellence Programme Sure Start Local Programmes were set up across England - aimed at children under 5 and families in areas of disadvantage Programmes later expanded to include childcare for children up to 14 (16 for those with disabilities or special needs) There were seven Sure Start Local Programmes open in Sunderland and one Early Excellence Centre by Sunderland City Council moved away from postcode specific programmes to provide a standardised core offer of services which would be open to everyone living across the city Today there are 17 city wide Sunderland Children’s Centres

What are Children’s Centres? Sunderland Children’s Centres work to offer parents the opportunity to improve their knowledge, skills and experience to enable them to support their children. Play and learn activities to help children with their learning and development Childcare Family support Child and family health services Practical help and advice on raising a young family Companionship and advice

Why Children’s Centres? Designed to give every child in Sunderland the best start in life and help them reach their full potential Brings together quality early learning, childcare, parenting advice, health services and help for parents to find work or training

Core offer and entitlement for families available through Children’s Centre Early education integrated with childcare Play and learn activities Parent and family support Child and family health services Pathways to training and employment Information and advice through the Families Information Service

Volunteer Opportunities Play and Learn – help in groups such as Messy Play, Story Sessions and Busy Bodies Community – from event helpers to forum members, Dads and Kids club Health – Breastfeeding peer support, Baby Days groups Administration – support the admin office

Extended Services Area Co-ordinator Community & Family Support Co-ordinator Health Co-ordinator Early Years Foundation Stage Consultant Direct working relationship with Mainstream Service provision in cluster area e.g. Modern Matron – TPCT, Locality Service Manager – Social Care, Head Teachers, Nursery and Primary Schools, GPs, Private and Voluntary Sector Qualified Teacher/s Admin Manager Admin Support Admin / CIS Admin Support Finance / Monitoring Senior Early Years Practitioner AREA CO-ORDINATION OF CHILDREN’S CENTRES AND EXTENDED SERVICES Admin Assistants Childminder Co-ordinator Play & Family Learning Workers Children’s Essentials Service Community Involvement Contract Social Care Social Work Community Involvement Worker Family Support Worker Child & Family Worker Community Volunteer Worker Smoking Cessation Antenatal Service Early Years Mental Health Service Health Visiting Service Paediatrics Maternity Services Management Role Co-ordinating Role Children’s Services Other Health Trusts Extended Services Co-ordinator Extended Services Development Worker VOLUNTEERS Childminders

Who can volunteer? People from all sections of the community will be invited to volunteers Volunteers will be selected purely in the basis of their ability to do the voluntary work Everyone will be valued regardless of their ability, age, economic or social background, culture, ethnic origin, language, race, religious and political beliefs, marital and parental status, gender and sexuality All volunteers will get an equal chance to do more training to develop and progress

How can community involvement and volunteering make a difference? To you… Building confidence Sharing ideas and meeting people Gain new experiences and skills Support in return to work Opportunities to gain recognised qualifications To the community… Responding to community needs Developing new groups and contributing to community capacity building Building skills within the community

How can community involvement and volunteering make a difference? To Children's Centres… Can offer unique peer support services and community led activities To be able to consultation with a range of partners to improve services for families in Sunderland “ enable parents and carers within the Children’s Centre area to create an emotionally secure and protective environment for children to grow and develop to their full potential”.

Who are we? Community Volunteer Workers Judith Turnbull - (West) Dionne Smith - (North) Sharon Rutherford- (East) Joanne Topping (Coalfields) Rebecca Moore- (Washington)