This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Integrated strategy for early years
17/10/2003
Experts have gathered in Glasgow today to help shape the
Executive's new cross-cutting 'Integrated Strategy for the
Early Years' in one of four seminars being held round
Scotland.
They will be examining ways of ensuring every child gets
the best start in life through the strategy which aims
to:
- improve children's health
- improve children's social and emotional
development
- improve children's ability to learn
- strengthen families and communities
- reduce barriers to employment - especially for lone
parents, since work is the best route out of
poverty
Euan Robson, Deputy Minister for
Education and Young People, who will address the seminar,
said:
"We want all of Scotland's children to have the best
start in life in order to support strong communities and
give children and young people have confidence in their
future. We need to have the best universal services to make
this happen.
"We must, in particular support those children who are
born with reduced life chances. Their families may be
vulnerable as a result of disability, substance misuse or
health problems. They may live in a deprived area or in a
remote rural area. Their parents may be young or lone
parents or from ethnic minority groups, all of which can
lead to social isolation and increased vulnerability. High
quality, targeted services are essential to deliver the
support these children and families need.
"Experiences in early childhood heavily influence
patterns throughout life and there are many policies in
place across Executive departments - education, health,
communities - which are designed to help children during
this crucial early years period.
"But we need to do more to join up these cross-cutting
policies and break down barriers to enable more joined up
delivery on the ground, focused on the identified needs of
children and their families.
"That is why we issued a consultation paper on an
Integrated Strategy for the Early Years earlier this year
which was widely welcomed.
"Today's seminar will enable a range of professionals
from local authorities, health services, schools and the
voluntary and private sectors to discuss some of the key
issues arising from the consultation. We want to make the
best use of their expertise to help shape our work. The
finalised strategy, taking account of the consultation
responses and these subsequent discussions, will be
published in the early part of next year."
The consultation paper on an
Integrated Strategy for the Early Years was issued in
March 2003, with responses sought by June. There was a
general welcome for the strategy and a number of detailed
comments made on how to take it forward. Following analysis
of the responses, it was decided that a set of four
regional seminars with key stakeholders would allow for
more in-depth analysis of some of the key issues that
emerged.
The draft strategy encompasses the following
objectives:
- Ensuring that at least 15,000 vulnerable children
under five have an integrated package of health, care
and education support which meets their needs
- Providing a free, part-time pre-school education
place for all three and four year olds whose parents
want one
- Ensuring that everyone who wants it should be able
to access affordable, high quality childcare
- Ensuring every family with a newborn baby should
have an assessment of their family's needs for
healthcare, advice and continuing support by a trained
health professional within the first weeks of life
- Providing targeted support for families with
children aged 0-3, particularly the most vulnerable and
deprived
Children in Scotland and NHS Health Scotland have
organised the four regional seminars on behalf of the
Executive.
- Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, October
15
- Radisson SAS Hotel, Argyle Street, Glasgow, October
17
- Carlton Hotel, North Bridge, Edinburgh, October
22
- Newton Hotel, Inverness Road, Nairn, October
24