Published on:
15
December 2011
Innovative and progressive ways of supporting vulnerable families with children aged under five have been agreed as part of a new early years framework.
The framework was discussed and agreed by councillors at today's Council meeting.
The new model will be operational from April 2012. The new service is more targeted with improved early intervention and is being delivered through co-ordinated partnership working. This will ensure that the Council identifies families at the earliest point possible and focuses on sustained improvement in the life chances of these vulnerable families and their children.
Councillor Janet Cadenhead, Regeneration Portfolio Holder, said: "Maintaining the status quo in this critical and sensitive area of work is not an option, if we are to achieve transformational change and improve the outcomes for children and families in Clackmannanshire.
"The time has come to shift our focus to ensure our services and those of our partners are working together to deliver much more flexible, targeting, effective and best value services to meet those families most at need and vulnerable.
"By ensuring our children and families get the help they need, when they need it, will give our children the opportunity to thrive and longer term this will reduce the intergenerational cycle of dependency in Clackmannanshire."
The key priority in establishing the new model was ensuring that services make the most effective use of existing resources and target the most vulnerable children and families in Clackmannanshire.
Senior officers from the Scottish Government's Early Years Team have confirmed that the model is 'very much in line with the thinking' of the Government's direction for services for families.