The outcomes may be varied, with some centres closing altogether, others being handed to voluntary providers, some dispensing with those 'non-essential' services, and others, such as in Bury, looking at charging for large parts of their programmes.
The Government maintains that there is sufficient money for Sure Start. In a parliamentary answer last week, Children and Families Minister Sarah Teather said that 'the recent spending review announced that there is funding available to maintain the current network of children's centres'.
This does not seem to be what is happening on the ground, however, even though local authorities are holding consultations on changes. And what a shame it will be if Sure Start loses its function as a universal service. There is no stigma attached to using a children's centre. You don't have to be 'deprived' or 'disadvantaged', and it is this mixing of families from many walks of life that can be such a force for increasing social cohesion and preventing isolation.
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