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Sarah Cunningham-Burley and Amanda Carty, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, University of Edinburgh
Claudia Martin and Anne Birch, Scottish Centre for Social Research, Edinburgh
ISBN 0 7559 2898 9 (Web only publication)
This document is also available in pdf format (928k)

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary
Research design
The range and use of Sure Start Scotland services
The development and delivery of Sure Start Scotland services
The perceived impact of Sure Start Scotland
The planning process
An overall assessment of Sure Start Scotland
Recommendations

Chapter 1: Introduction and Background to the Study
Introduction
The Sure Start Scotland Mapping Exercise 2001
The Sure Start Mapping Exercise 2004
Research Methods
Defining a Sure Start Scotland Service
Outline of the report

Chapter 2: Range and use of Sure Start Scotland Services
Introduction
Use of Sure Start Scotland Services
Chart 1: Number of Sure Start Places 2001-2004
Ages of children supported
Chart 2: Age range of children supported
Types of services provided
Chart 3: Intensity of Services Provided
Chart 4: Main service type
Chart 5: Range of services within centre-based provision
Sure Start Scotland objectives
Chart 6: Meeting Sure Start Scotland's Objectives
Summary and conclusion

Chapter 3: Development and Delivery of Sure Start Services
Introduction
Service Development since 2001
Chart 7: Development of services over time
Use of a range of funding streams
Expanded and integrated services
Further examples of service development
Chart 8: Visiting sessions
Integrated packages of care
Chart 9: Percentage of Children Receiving Sure Start Scotland Services with an Integrated Package of Care
Provision of emergency places
Targeting of specific groups
Table 1: Support to Specific Groups
Table 2: Groups targeted by local authorities via SS money
Staff and parent training
Table 3: Parent Training
Summary and Conclusion

Chapter 4 The Perceived Impact of Sure Start Scotland
Introduction
Uptake of services
The impact of Sure Start Scotland
Positive impact of Sure Start Scotland services on children/families
Case Study: Service Users' Views
Negative impacts of Sure Start Scotland services on children and families
Involvement of service users in the planning and delivery of services
Evaluation and monitoring
Summary and Conclusion

Chapter 5: The Planning Process
Introduction
The Planning Process
Factors that help or hinder integrated planning and joint working
New or joint appointments
Planning decisions, priorities and needs' assessment
Funding issues
Groups who are benefiting from Sure Start Scotland and gaps in provision
Summary and Conclusion

Chapter 6: Overall Assessment of Sure Start Scotland and its Future Development
Introduction
The positive and negative aspects of Sure Start Scotland
Factors that help or hinder the planning and delivery of Sure Start Scotland
Table 4: Factors that help the planning and delivery of Sure Start Services
Table 5: Factors that hinder the planning and delivery of Sure Start Services
Areas for improvement/gaps in service
Chart 10: Gaps or Areas for Further Development
Sure Start in the context of Early Years' Policy and ideas for future development
Summary and Conclusion

Chapter 7: Conclusion and Recommendations
Introduction
The range and use of Sure Start Scotland services
The development and delivery of Sure Start Scotland services
The perceived impact of Sure Start Scotland
The planning process
An overall assessment of Sure Start Scotland
Conclusion and recommendations

Appendix 1: Questionnaires

The views expressed in the report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Scottish Executive or any other organisation(s) by which the author(s) is/are employed.

The Scottish Executive is making this research report available on-line in order to provide access to its contents for those interested in the subject. The Executive commissioned the research but has not exercised editorial control over the report.

A summary in the Education Research Programme Research Findings Series will be published in printed and web only format in January 2006 and available from Information and Analytical Services Division, Scottish Executive Education Department, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ. If you have any enquiries about these reports please contact the Dissemination Officer on 0131-244-0316.

This report was published in December 2005.

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.

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