Nursery World - Action stations (2)

Need a place for toddler play sessions or a breastfeeding support group to meet? Call the fire brigade, as one council serving rural areas has. Simon Vevers reports Close ties with the voluntary sector have been an integral part of Northumberland County Council's drive to reach vulnerable families in some of the most far-flung rural areas of the UK. They have also resulted in an innovative link-up between children's services and local fire stations.

Close ties with the voluntary sector have been an integral part of Northumberland County Council's drive to reach vulnerable families in some of the most far-flung rural areas of the UK. They have also resulted in an innovative link-up between children's services and local fire stations.

Head of early years and childcare Yvonne Fraser says that the county has been divided into six geographical areas to deliver services. The managers of two of them are employed by the children's charities Barnado's and NCH.

'Both are still employed by these organisations but are full members of my management team and are involved in the planning and decision-making about the whole of the early years agenda and the ten-year childcare strategy,'

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