Supporting families is a key priority for the Department for Children Schools and Families. Over the current spending review period (2008-11) Coventry has been allocated approximately £21 million in capital and revenue funding to support the development of children’s centres, early years and child care provision in the area, including outreach work for the most disadvantaged. There are currently 20 designated Sure Start Children’s Centres offering services to around 15,987 children under five and their families, with a further three centres in development.
Over £75 million is being made available nationally for 2009-10 for targeted initiatives to support families with high levels of need, with a particular focus on parenting skills. This will enable all local authorities to have family intervention projects, the parenting early intervention programme (for parents of 8-13 year olds) and to each employ two expert parenting practitioners.