Written question asked by Alan Campbell (Labour) on Friday, 12 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2003. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the benefits of the Sure Start Scheme. - Includes ref to publications and info about the National Evaluation at www.surestart.gov.uk/ensuringquality/research/localprogramme evaluation/.

Answer: Mr. Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the benefits of the Sure Start Scheme. [130383] Margaret Hodge: A large scale, comprehensive evaluation of the Sure Start programme is under way. This will establish what works to improve outcomes for young children and their families, in the short, medium and long term. By its nature many of the benefits of Sure Start will be long term: so the evaluation is tracking 8,000 children over time--initially at nine months, three years and five years--and then beyond. The first information will be available by spring 2004. The evaluation is also examining how the programme is being implemented. To date assessments have been published on Setting Up Sure Start, Early Experiences of Implementing Sure Start, Characteristics of Sure Start Areas and Fathers in Sure Start Areas. These assessments show that many of the necessary building blocks for successful Sure Start programmes, such as joint working and involvement of parents in planning and delivering services, are being put in place. These publications and further information about the National Evaluation can be found at www.surestart.gov.uk/ensuringquality/research/local programmeevaluation/

Secondary information