1. www.cpag.org.uk Children’s Centre Project Nick Jones njones@cpag.org.uk

2. Brief ‘To design and deliver needs assessed welfare training to children’s centre staff aimed at enabling Them to help families achieve economic wellbeing’.

3. AIMS Be able to identify potential entitlements for children’s centre service users Be able to provide information on the channels for applying Be able to signpost to the agencies, both government and third sector, which can assist with applications

4. Pilot Regions The North East The West Midlands London

5. Timetable End of Dec 09 – advertised to Local authorities in all three pilot regions, resulting in self-selection of participating children’s centres. End of Jan 10 – field visits completed and results evaluated. End of Feb 10 – course designed and materials produced ready for first delivery phase. End of March 10 – delivered training to children’s centre staff in at least one of the pilot regions. End of May 10 – completed first delivery phase. End of June 10 – completed first evaluation and begun development of elearning.

6. Self selection Emphasis on 30% centres but also aim to deliver training in some 70% centres. Designated and fullcore offer centres. Mixture of urban, inner city and rural settings. Broadest possible range of staff.

7. Field visits Staff availability (e.g. part-time, full-time) Primary workloads Preferred learning methods Access to IT

8. Course design Keeping it simple Keeping it relevant Style – interactive, fun and practical Expectations

9. The benefits system (who pays what) How benefits fit together (means-tested, contributory, non-contributory etc.) Who can claim what The process and administration Fact-finder mission It’s not what you do…. Quiz

10. Initial feedback How would you rate this training course overall ? ‘Excellent’ 49% ‘Good’ 47% ‘Average’ 2% ‘Poor’ -0% No evaluation2%

11. Problems Practical arrangements Group size Effective evaluation Follow-up Access to IT New government – changes to benefits and future of surestart.

12. www.cpag.org.uk