About Sure Start Services
Sure Start is a Programme targeted at parents and children under the age of four.There are 38 Sure Start projects across Northern Ireland. It brings together health, family support and early education services which are designed to support children’s learning skills, health and well-being, and social and emotional development. Services are offered both in the home and in group based settings.
How SureStart can help?
SureStart projects offer many different programmes for parents and children under four years old. The SureStart programme aims to improve a child's:
• ability to learn - by encouraging stimulating play, improving language skills and the early identification and support of children with learning difficulties;
• health and well-being - by supporting parents in caring for children and promoting children’s health and development;
• social and emotional development - by supporting the development of early relationships between parents and children, good parenting skills, family functioning and early identification and support of children with emotional, learning or behavioural difficulties.
The 38 Sure Start projects across Northern Ireland complement the work of local services and in addition to support programmes, give young families advice on where to go and who to speak to, if they have specialised needs or problems.
The Key Principles of Sure Start are:
Co-ordinate, streamline and add value to existing services for young families in local communities, including signposting to specialised services;
- Involve parents;
- Avoid stigma;
- Ensure lasting support;
- Be sensitive to particular families’ needs;
- and Promote participation of all local families.
Core Elements of the Sure Start Programme are:
- Outreach and home visiting services, to make contact as early as possible in a child’s life and draw families into using other services;
- Family support including befriending, social support and parenting information, both group and home based;
- Good quality play, learning and childcare experiences for children (both group and home based); Primary and community health care and advice;
- Speech language and communication support;
- Support for all children in the community recognising their differing needs.
The Policy Outcomes of Sure Start are:
- Improved language skills.
- Early identification of developmental delay.
- Improved access to services.
- Enhanced parenting skills.
- Effectively integrated services.
Can you attend SureStart?
Your Postcode will determine whether you live in a SureStart catchment area and you should contact your nearest SureStart service, who will be able to check this for you.
Find your nearest SureStart
You will find your nearest SureStart project by choosing the Sure Start category and inputting your postcode.
For more about SureStart please see booklet :
SureStart Booklet 2017 (PDF Downloadable)
If you do not live in a Sure Start Catchment Area - you may wish to contact some of these services :-
Home-Start
Home-Start visits families in their own homes offering support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children.
Libraries
Libraries in Northern Ireland have many activities like Rhythm & Rhyme or Jo Jingles for young children. You should contact your local branch to find out about what is happening in your area.
Parent and Toddler Groups
Parent and Toddler groups are for parents/carers/relatives/childminders and the young children in their care.
The main aim is to provide a pleasant and supportive environment for adults and a stimulating play environment for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.
Most groups aim to strike a balance between the adults’ and the children’s needs.
Adults go along with their children, often joining in the fun and making lasting friendships. The group usually meets in the morning once a week.
What do you do?
Although this will vary from group to group, most will provide opportunities for: babies to play and explore in a safe area free play with a good range of toys including larger equipment a craft activity that may involve cutting, sticking or painting singing time often at the end of a session to allow for clearing away of toys a refreshment break for adults and children.
Is there a charge?
There may be a minimal charge or voluntary contribution per child or family that is payable each week. This cost is usually enough to cover the cost of snacks (where provided), equipment and insurance. Some groups operate free of charge. You should check with the group before you arrange to visit.
Do I just turn up?
You should contact the group before you arrange a visit, to make sure that meeting days and times are up-to-date. Most groups will have a main organiser who will welcome you and introduce you to the group.
These groups are parent run and the parent/guardian is responsible for looking after their own children. In addition to this: Some groups have a rota system with adults taking it in turns to set up, clear away and make refreshments
Are these groups Registered?
Parent and Toddler groups are not inspected/regulated because parents/carers remain with their children.
They are listed in the Childcare section of this website - You should choose Parent & Toddler’ under Category of childcare (use Drop-down bar), then input your (full) postcode and search within 1/5/10 miles.
Related Documents
Health and Social Care Trust Areas
