A recent inspection by an independent evaluation team acting for the Welsh Assembly Government has praised the Ceredigion Flying Start service. Flying Start is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative which aims to provide more support and opportunity for families with children under the age of 4.
The three areas in Ceredigion which benefit from this initiative are the catchment areas for the junior schools at Cardigan, Llanarth and part of the catchment area of Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos, Penparcau.
The evaluation report praises the sterling work carried out by the Ceredigion Flying Start team in establishing services so early in the life of the programme and its continuing work in improving services based upon feedback from families and partners.
Cllr. Carl Williams, the Ceredigion County Council cabinet member with lead responsibility for services for Children and young People announced ‘I am delighted that this report has acknowledged the considerable effort being invested by staff and partners in the delivery of Flying Start services in Ceredigion in order to make it as effective as possible for eligible parents and children. It is pleasing to note that the Welsh Assembly Government’s evaluation team also praised Ceredigion’s commitment to consulting with local partners, seeking opportunities for joint working and integrating the work of different agencies such as education, health, social services and the voluntary sector.’
Investment from the Ceredigion Flying Start service has led to the development of two Integrated Children’s Campuses – in Penparcau and in Cardigan – where Flying Start entitlements are delivered alongside a range of other services for children and their parents.
Aspects of the Ceredigion Flying Start service’s delivery of each of its four core entitlements were praised by the Welsh Assembly Government’s evaluation team.
The report praised the effectiveness of the work of the Health Visiting Team under the Ceredigion Flying Start service. Families in Flying Start areas are able to receive more intensive support from Health Visitors or Family Support Workers, building a relationship of trust and support. In particular, the evaluation team noted the Ceredigion Flying Start service’s support for families facing particular behavioural challenges.
Families of 96% of children aged 2-3 years old in Ceredigion Flying Start areas now take up their childcare entitlement. This has led to many children being able to fully enjoy the benefit of education from the age of 3 years old. The evaluation team noted that interview data having given a strong picture of Flying Start making a positive difference to children’s readiness to learn and their general development.
Over the last year, Ceredigion Flying Start service has organised ‘Incredible Years’ courses in each of the three Ceredigion Flying Start areas – a total of 7 courses. “Incredible Years” courses support parents to explore their children’s behaviour and discover positive ways of dealing with that behaviour. Over 70 Ceredigion parents benefited from the support with between 50-80% successfully completing those courses. The evaluation team praised the effectiveness of that work noting that it delivered more confident parents and the expectation of fewer interventions being required in later life.
The Ceredigion Flying Start service also offers Baby Massage Groups, Parent and Toddler Groups and Dads’ Groups as well as Health Visitor drop-in sessions. All these services are well established and provide opportunities for families to obtain the appropriate support that they require. Parents report less hassle, having better bonds with their babies and possessing more confidence as parents.
The manager of the Ceredigion Flying Start service, Rhian Rees, commented: “I am very proud of the Ceredigion Flying Start Team and of what it has achieved over the last few years. Flying Start staff have worked incredibly hard to develop and deliver effective services in each of the Flying Start areas. I am also grateful for all the support and encouragement the team has received from parents and partners – particularly those who have embraced Flying Start and work closely with us to achieve the best outcomes for Ceredigion’s families and young children.”
