I am delighted to be here today, and to have been invited to open this conference by Brighter Futures; a local charity which does excellent work supporting families to transform their lives.
A similar event took place yesterday in Guernsey, it was extremely well received by all who participated. Joint learning will support joint working between the Islands, and that is to be welcomed.
1001 Critical Days agenda
In the recent election I am made a commitment to support the 1001 Critical Days agenda. I did so because those days of life – from conception to aged two – are vitally important. The ways in which we care for, and treat children during this period shapes their lives, ultimately helps shape our whole community.
The love and care that babies and very young children receive - plus the quality of their home learning environment – directly supports their brain and language development and their ability to learn. It fosters emotional wellbeing, and helps them to develop the capacity to form and maintain positive relationships with others.
A lack of nurturing or stimulation, or neglect, during these first critical years can have life-long consequences; hindering the development of the psychological and neurological foundations that underpin our social and physical wellbeing, and our future educational and economic achievements.
Focus on early years
Investing in the very early years brings returns for the child, for the family and for our wider community; reducing the costs associated with responding to poor outcomes. Well-designed early years interventions can provide significant returns. So, as policy makers, we must focus attention on these early years. It makes financial and social sense to do so.
I am delighted that much is already happening and that we have made significant strides forward in the last few years.
The new Sustained Home Visiting scheme, developed in partnership between the Health and Social Services Department and the Family Nursing and Home Care, will provide ongoing support to vulnerable mothers who are pregnant, or who have very young children. It will help them build attachment to their child, increase their confidence in their ability to parent, and support their child’s development.
The support - which will start during the antenatal period and continue until the child is two years of age - is an extension of the universal health visiting service. This will increase uptake, with an estimated 100 families benefitting per year.
Problems that impact on parenting
The scheme is complimented by increased numbers of community midwives, providing care that is shared with the mother’s GP - promoting a joint approach to the physical and emotion health problems that can impact on parenting.
The new Child and Family Centre, which opened in December, will provide families with very young children increased access to universal services. Integrated into Samare Primary School – a familiar, non-stigmitising environment - it is open to all local families, including those with complex needs.
A new Family Care Coordinator will provide a single point of contact for families who have young children with complex needs. Care will be wrapped around them; it will meet their needs and preferences, and will support further reductions in waiting times for assessment of Autism and Social Communication Difficulties.
Identifying vulnerable families
Each of these initiatives represents a positive step-forward; but they are just parts of bigger picture. They are supported by the excellent work undertaken by local charities, such as Brighter Futures, the Jersey Childcare Trust, Banardos and the NSPCC – to name just a few. Taken together, much is already happening - but I recognise that more may be required.
We cannot assume that we know who all our vulnerable families are. We need to proactively identify those most at risk so we can meet their needs.
Nor, can we assume that the challenges faced by our families and the outcomes of those challenges, are always the same as the UK; as illustrated by very stark differences in rates of youth crime and teenage pregnancy.
We need services and solutions that are right for Jersey.
To this end, I am delighted to announce that I will be establishing a Task Force and cross-sectorial stakeholder group, reporting directly to me, and supported by a senior dedicated officer.
Government task force
That Task Force will have responsibility for analysing need, identifying gaps and bringing forward solutions. Solutions that support reform, where it is needed, and ensure investment in services that deliver the right outcomes.
The work of Task Force will also include looking at how we work with public and private funders to stimulate the monies needed, to help the voluntary and community sector reach out to vulnerable families and support our Island’s very youngest children.
In the meantime, I hope that you enjoy today. I am sure that we will learn much and enjoy the opportunity to network and make contact with others who also engaged in early years work.
Other speakers at the conference included:
- Brighter Futures - Wendy Hurford MBE, President of Brighter Futures
- Andrea Leadsom - MP for Southampton
- Professor Brigid Featherstone - The Open University
- Robin Balbernie - Clinical Director Parent Infant Partnership UK
- Patricia Tumelty - Education, Sport and Culture, Jersey
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