Children’s Centres in 2011:Improving outcomes for the children who use Action for Children Children’s Centres

Action for Children commissioned a research team at King’s College London to evaluate the impact of Action for Children Children’s Centres on outcomes for vulnerable children. The study took place during 2010-11. Within the wider context of early intervention to meet wider family support needs, the study also addressed key topics including health, inter-agency collaboration; access to services; and the role of outreach. The study period coincided with robust public and political debate around the allocation of public spending, alongside an extensive review of services and outcomes for children and young people, through five parallel reviews.1Proposed developments in the configuration of community health services for children and their families, put a spotlight on the existing and potential contribution of Children’s Centres to undertake the co-ordination of services, as well as have a positive impact on child outcomes, alongside supporting workforce recruitment and retention; and the enhancement of inter-agency collaboration