SURE START CHELMSLEY WOOD Key findings from the local evaluation 2004 Presenters: Jo Sabin, Centre Manager & Mairi Ann Cullen, CEDAR, University of Warwick

The key challenge I am very pleased and very happy that there is such a place as Sure Start now. Its nice to know that, because this is up and running and its well- established now, in years to come … my children will have somewhere to go with their children, as well. (quote from a parent)

Focus of local evaluation, 2004 Three strands of work: 1.Collate and analyse existing internal evaluation information 2.Conduct two service evaluations – a) support for speech and language development; b) adult tutor support 3.Conduct thematic evaluation - partnership

Purposes of the local evaluation Each strand included for a purpose: 1.To draw together existing, internally- generated information about members views into an accessible format 2.To begin focused thinking about mainstreaming 3.To unpick the Chelmsley Wood model

Evidence-base 1. Parents views of 18 groups & events, evaluation sheets; 5 reports based on parents views 2a. Support for speech and language development 8 interviews (parents, professionals, Sure Start staff) 145 Reynell assessments; 64 PIPA assessments 2b. Support for adult learners 13 interviews (parents, professionals, Sure Start staff) College and LSC data on adult and community education 3. Working in partnership 40 interviews (parents, professionals, Sure Start team)

Main findings

Headline findings, 2004 Existing information from members gave evidence of overwhelmingly positive views Support for speech and language development is making a difference Adult learners are thriving and increasing The partnerships work - for parents and their children, for the staff team, for local professionals and for the community

What has been achieved? Improvements related to all four Sure Start Objectives : Social and emotional development Health Childrens ability to learn Family functioning and sense of community

Objective 1 - Social and emotional development increased confidence of parents and children mental health issues addressed behavioural issues addressed improved parenting skills improved bonding between parents and children improved parent-child interaction success of Solihull Approach success of Family Support Model

Objective 2 - Health tentative findings that preventative work is reducing health inequalities ( a long-term goal) quality of ante-natal and post-natal support benefits of Baby Massage progress in smoking cessation valued support for young mums valued support for mums with post-natal depression promotion of health eating promotion of dental health support for breastfeeding - Baby Café, trained parent counsellors

Objective 3 - Childrens ability to learn parents have higher aspirations for their children improved play experience (play at Sure Start Centre planned around child development; Birth to Three Matters implemented) improved listening skills better preparation for Nursery adults notice the benefits to children from experience of Sure Start crèche, Play and Stay, Play Link, Welcome to Nursery, Rainbow Tots

Objective 3 – service evaluation Support for speech and language sharing knowledge and skills with parents has led to positive behavioural changes in how members interact with their babies and young children sharing knowledge and skills with team has led to effective support for speech and language development becoming embedded across the programme outreach work in local nurseries has led to statistically significant improvements in childrens phonological awareness, a prerequisite of literacy members value access to qualified speech and language therapist without waiting for a referral or clinical appointment and the friendly, reassuring, holistic manner in which support and advice is given local professionals report a marked improvement in speech, language and social interaction skills of children who attend local paediatric SLT service willing to learn from Sure Start Chelmsley Wood

Objective 4 - Strengthening families and the community friendships & social networks formed among parents and children – makes transition to nursery and school easier parents and professionals report increased sense of community spirit coherent, articulate, assertive parental voice, especially evident through Parents Action Community Team parent-run parent and toddler groups parent-run adventure group for under-10s increased parental representation on local decision- making groups and on local working groups

Objective 4 – service evaluation Supporting adult learning role of adult tutor valued by Sure Start members, colleagues and Solihull College Community Education staff adult tutor provides support to enable access to first steps learning, accredited learning, routes to employment adult tutor has raised local profile of family learning, esp. through Family Learning Network huge increase in take-up of adult learning opportunities in Chelmsley Wood ward progression routes from first steps learning now established and used – e.g. improved uptake of Level 2 improved employability, especially successful in childcare sector

How has it been achieved?

Thematic evaluation - partnership All the successes achieved through the processes of working in partnership: the partnership that put together the original bid the partnerships that sustain the local programme – the Partnership Board and Community Reference Group the partnership working within the multi-agency, multi- skilled, carefully chosen team the partnership working with parents

Working in partnership – what it means in Sure Start Chelmsley Wood Key elements of definitions given Partnership Board and Community Reference Group: shared vision purposeful, open discussion agreed, shared action How far did this match reality at Sure Start Chelmsley Wood? ALL agreed it was an exemplar of good practice

Partnership working in the team – what it means in Sure Start Chelmsley Wood team is representative of needs of members - i.e. a coordinated & cohesive team, working together in service of families respect for others roles, skills and knowledge blurring of edges of roles (not precious about areas of expertise) benefits of co-working, of core planning and joint planning accessible, effective support for team and members underpinned by Solihull Approach - provides a common language and consistency of approach to children and families mutual support provides scope to be innovative actively learning from each other

Partnership with parents – what it means in Sure Start Chelmsley Wood Key aspects of definitions given by parents: treated as equals (even first among equals) being valued and listened to being taken seriously, esp. re decision-making acting on parents views (delivering the goods) How far did this match reality at Sure Start Chelmsley Wood? ALL stated this matched all these expectations awareness of what parents offer to Sure Start Chelmsley Wood: Were what makes it work.

Partnership with parents - valued characteristics of Sure Start Chelmsley Wood children and parents at the centre - working with and for local parents and children, not doing unto them environment - safe, friendly, welcoming respect – for staff, parents and children; staff who listen and dont judge high quality - of staff, of facilities, of group sessions, of individual support; of childcare; of equipment provided

The Sure Start Chelmsley Wood Model

CONTAINMENT (from psychoanalytic theory) RECIPROCITY (from child development research) BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT (from learning theory) The 3 elements of the Solihull Approach are used to empower both parents and children and can be utilised at any stage in the family relationship in a therapeutic or preventative way. For further information contact THE SOLIHULL APPROACH – empowering families

The three elements Containment – responding to another in a way that acknowledges their feelings & reflects them back as tolerable and meaningful – restores ability to process emotions and capacity to think – feeling safe & valued Reciprocity – mutual involvement in the starting, continuation and ending of an interaction, i.e. each person being able to affect and be affected by the other - basis of relationship with baby; supports communication & language development – dancing together Behaviour management – parents teaching children self- control through setting reasonable boundaries, giving attention & praise, modelling expected behaviour – facilitates learning and development – ready to learn and develop together

Sure Start Chelmsley Wood Model Think of a series of triangles sitting inside each other, with a heart in the middle: Heart at the centre: values and attitudes of all staff valuing the children, families and each other as equals Triangle 1: all working within the Solihull Approach containment; reciprocity; behaviour management Triangle 2: the Sure Start Chelmsley Wood experience safe, welcoming environment – i.e. containment; respectful relationships – i.e. reciprocity ; high quality staff delivering high quality services in well-kept premises - all learning and developing together – i.e. behaviour management

Sure Start Chelmsley Wood Model - affecting, and affected by, its context The model of working affects, and is affected by: Triangle 3: the wider context of Solihull partnership structures in place (containment); day to day partnership working (reciprocity); willingness to learn together and develop mainstream versions of the positive experiences from Sure Start Chelmsley Wood (behaviour management) Triangle 4: the wider national context commitment to national Sure Start programme (containment); mutual sharing of knowledge and experiences, e.g. through NESS (reciprocity); facilitating others to learn from Sure Start local programmes and develop similar approaches within Childrens Services (behaviour management)

Conclusion

Key recommendations To continue to work together as a Partnership to achieve the long-term future of the facilities and provision at Sure Start Chelmsley Wood To embrace widening access to the programme - parents and professionals want this (interview data) To support the mainstreaming of approaches and lessons from Sure Start Chelmsley Wood being implemented locally whilst ensuring that the emphasis on high quality provision, made in partnership with parents, for children and parents is maintained quick, easy access to specialist support within universal services is maintained

What next? - the current position Mainstreaming is already happening: Education – local development of Neighbourhood Nurseries, Extended Schools, Childrens Centres all influenced by Chelmsley Wood model Social services - Solihull Family Support Model Health - Health Visitor review; Parental Evaluation Developmental Screening pilot; influence within CAMHS; SLT Dept parents groups; Solihull Approach spreading Community action - Parents Action Community Team Sustainable community provision - Cheeky Monkeys & Little Squirrels for pre-school; Funky Monkeys for under- 10s Opportunities for adults - local college agreed to train crèche workers to improve quality of childcare to increase uptake of courses; development of Excellence in the Community learning pods

What next? - the framework for the future exists (a) The local programme slots in to the key developments a) national agenda Childrens National Service Framework Every Child Matters: Change for Children - Sure Start members want these five Outcomes for their children too (interview data) Choice for Parents (10 Year Childcare Strategy) Together from the Start Early Support Pilot Programme

What next? - the framework for the future exists (b) The local programme slots in to the key developments b) local agendas Solihull Sure Start Plan, Solihull Lifelong Learning Partnership (3 Year Plan) Solihull Adult & Community Learning, SDP A Place for People - community strategy for Solihull,

The key challenge I am very pleased and very happy that there is such a place as Sure Start now. Its nice to know that, because this is up and running and its well- established now, in years to come … my children will have somewhere to go with their children, as well. (quote from a parent)