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Managing Sure Start in partnership.
Lamiece Hassan1, Joy Spencer, Elaine Hogard
1Social and Health Evaluation Unit, University of Chester.
Summary
Sure Start Children's Centres foster effective collaboration through governance and consensus, strengthening community involvement. Recommendations aim to preserve these empowering practices during the transition to local authority management.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Policy
- Social Policy Evaluation
- Community Development
Background:
- Sure Start programmes were integrated into Children's Centres in March 2006, with local authorities assuming strategic oversight.
- This transition necessitated an evaluation of the Sure Start local programme Management Board's operational practices.
- The evaluation focused on partnership working and community engagement in preparation for the transition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a Sure Start local programme Management Board preceding its transition to Children's Centres.
- To analyze practices related to partnership working and community involvement.
- To identify factors supporting effective governance and collaboration.
Main Methods:
- A distinctive trident evaluation model was employed.
- A multi-method approach included interviews, questionnaires, and documentary analysis.
- Exploration of outcomes, processes, and multiple stakeholder perspectives was central.
Main Results:
- An effective, collaborative working style and synergy were fostered among board members.
- Governance arrangements, such as quorum regulations and consensus-based decision-making, supported partnership development.
- The evaluation identified strengths in collaborative practice and community involvement.
Conclusions:
- The Sure Start Management Board demonstrated effective partnership working and governance.
- Recommendations were made to enhance the community voice and retain effective practices post-transition.
- The study provides insights into managing collaborative initiatives during policy shifts.