Nursery World - Local programmes found ineffectual

The Government's flagship 3bn Sure Start programme has had 'little impact' on children and families in Britain's most deprived areas, according to early findings from an independent study.

The study found that children from severely disadvantaged families - teenage mothers, lone parents, workless households - appear to be 'adversely affected by living in a SSLP community', whereas those from relatively less disadvantaged households benefit 'somewhat' from living in SSLP areas.

Children of teenage mothers, lone parents and workless households growing up in SSLP areas scored lower on verbal ability and social development than their counterparts in non-Sure Start areas, and the children of teenage mothers exhibited more behaviour problems.

Professor Edward Melhuish, head of the study, said, 'The adverse effects cannot be reported without mentioning the benefits. The beneficial effects of SSLPs - better social development and less negative parenting - applied to the majority of children and families living in Sure Start areas. No adverse effects occurred in children with non-teenage mothers.'

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