Integrated Children's Centres: Overcoming Barriers to Truly Integrated Services

Designed to be a one-stop-shop to meet the needs of local communities, Children's Centres represent a revolutionary shift in the way children's services are delivered to families. Integrated Children's Centres looks at the way in which Children's Centre development has built upon the research and experiences of initiatives such as the HeadStart programme in America and the SureStart programme. Exploring the component elements of truly integrative services and the key players in ensuring positive outcomes: families, the local authority, PCT, private and voluntary sectors, and faith groups, this book covers:

• the challenges faced by children's centres
• how to tackle social issues through the medium of children's centres
• achieving effective multi-agency working and true collaboration
• the essentials of leading and managing children's centres
• the benefits of early intervention
• how to effectively deliver health care, education and children's services.

Providing a wealth of case studies, this highly topical book will be of interest to nursery and children's centres managers and early years practitioners enrolled on the NPQICL or EYPS programmes, as well as students working towards a degree in Early Childhood Studies or MA in Early Years.