The Committee is asked to consider Document “Y” which provides an update on the progress of the Better Start Bradford programme and the implications for the District.

Recommended –

That the report be noted and Ward Councillors receive regular updates.

(Michaela Howell – 01274 5134227)

The Committee was asked to consider Document “Y” which provided an update on the progress of the Better Start Bradford programme and the implications for the District. 

Document “Y” reported that the Better Start Bradford programme was the result of a successful £49 million Big Lottery Fund bid led by Bradford Trident, for a 10 year early intervention and prevention programme. The programme was currently in the third year of its ten year duration. It was explained that Bradford was one of only five areas nationally to be awarded funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s A Better Start programme.

Members were advised that Better Start Bradford was a ‘test and learn’ programme which was being used as a vehicle for reform across the district in early years.  The programme had already informed the development of the Integrated Early Years Strategy and the Prevention and Early Help programme. The programme was being ‘tested’ in three wards (Bowling and Barkerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton) and the ‘learning’ about what successfully improved outcomes for Bradford’s children would be integrated throughout the district.

It was explained that, from a value for money point of view, research had revealed that the best time to invest scarce resources to improve children’s outcomes was in pre-conception, pregnancy and the first three years of life, as that was the time when the improvement in outcomes was greatest.

The key benefits of the BSB approach were outlined and these included “know what you want to change; use what works and create local evidence; joint accountability; cost benefit analysis; community involvement and improve how systems work together”.

A presentation depicting interviews with parents involved in the project and the benefits that they felt, including amongst many other advantages, coping with older children with a baby; recognising anti natal depression; improved parental skills; bonding with babies and an understanding of how babies brains developed in the first three years, was provided.

A monthly newsletter was tabled to Members and they were requested to spread the work of the new programme.

Following the very detailed presentation Members raised a number of questions and concerns as follows:-

·         Members had seen many previous schemes which had benefited participants during the time they were involved.  It was questioned, however, what the long term benefit of the programme might be following its ten year duration.

·         The wards targeted by the project experienced greater levels of immigration than the district as a whole and movement in and out of the area was high.  The parents benefiting from the programme would be likely to move out of the area taking the benefits they had learned out of the constituencies. 

·         Aspirational parents may take advantage of the programme but hard to reach communities may not access BSB’s services.

·         Low cost housing in the targeted constituencies attracted more deprived families and the quality of that housing was what impacted on people’s health.

·         What assessments had been made of the impact the programme had made on early health?

·         Given that base level provision would be changing what method had been used to design the programme in Years four and five? What had been identified which had not been known in Year one?

·         How would the programme operate with fewer resources available?

·         What impact would the proposals for a new model of Prevention and Early Help have on the programme?

In response it was explained that:-

·         The outcomes of BSB included improvements in communication; language; nutrition and social development.  Services which supported people arriving in the targeted constituencies would have the knowledge, understanding and support so that people would, in the future, arrive in a community of influence.  The programme was not only working with people who required support but worked with all communities who contributed to child development.  The need to develop community champions to pass on what was being learnt from the programme was stressed.

·         Many of the initiatives were undertaken in the home.  In addition BSB workers opened up marquees; knocked on doors and encouraged community participation in the target areas and had engaged with over 200 and children.  Universal services such as health visitors were also used to reach hard to reach families.

·         It was acknowledged that housing had a clear impact on health.  BSB’s remit was not to address housing issues but the initiatives were targeted in areas with poor housing.

·         As soon as an assessment of the impact of the programmes was completed it would be shared with Members. Changes to Children’s Centres; reductions in universal support would have an  impact on BSB and a response to the consultation on a proposed new Prevention and Early Help model had been provided.  It was agreed that a copy of that response would be provided to Bradford East Area Members.

·         BSB was resilient to change.  Initiatives were developed in three year contracts, some of which could be extended whilst some may cease.  An innovation fund would be introduced which would be open to suggestions of innovation and in response to changing needs.  There were 22 projects currently being operated and their impact would be tested. 

·         All partners affected by the proposed model of Prevention and Early Help were members of the BSB Board and could consider the impact of those proposals jointly.  As a research based programme BSB was able to take risks which other projects may not be able to do.

Resolved –

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, be requested to provide the Committee with regular updates on the Better Start Bradford programme.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Children’s Services

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)