THE Sudell and Central Darwen Sure Start scheme is described as a "trailblazer" among services in East Lancashire aimed at tackling deprivation and poverty among children.

It is just one of the projects set up in the area to try and reduce some of the problems faced by youngsters, highlighted in the public health report for East Lancashire.

The shocking statistics on poverty and deprivation included in the report have already prompted two bids for further Sure Start schemes.

Part of a national strategy aimed at improving services for children, especially pre-schoolers, Sure Start is backed by £452 million of government funding and aims to combat social exclusion and give children from deprived areas the best possible start in life.

Launched last year, the Darwen scheme includes a library, cafe and meeting place, parent and toddler groups, training opportunities and play facilities for older children and will soon have a purpose-built centre.

The East Lancashire Health Authority public health report said of the scheme: "The programme was one of the 'trailblazer' areas which commenced work in the spring of 2000. By 2002, there will be 250 Sure Start local programmes across England, concentrated in areas where there is a high proportion of children living in poverty and families at risk of social exclusion.

"Local programmes vary according to local needs, although each one includes a number of core services, including outreach and home visiting for parents and children, support for good quality play, learning and childcare experiences and primary and community healthcare access."

The scheme is an example of the kind of project the health authority would like to see more of, featuring links with community associations, a parents' forum and work with a multi-agency group. A spokesman for Sure Start in Sudell and Darwen said: "For some families, especially in disadvantaged areas, the network of support for families with young children is sometimes patchy and unco-ordinated and does not meet their needs.

"Sure Start is a pioneering partnership which aims to give families the support they need to nurture their children. The involvement of parents is crucial to the development of Sure Start as they are able to identify the gaps in services for families with young children, gaps which Sure Start can help to fill.

"Sure Start aims to complement existing health and family services and work in a co-ordinated way with agencies and partners. Early reports are showing that we are making a real difference to the lives of families and children in the Sudell and central Darwen area.

"The issues of child poverty highlighted by the public health report have led to bids going into the Sure Start unit for future money in two other areas in the Blackburn with Darwen borough.

"There will ultimately be four Sure Starts across the borough if the bids are successful."

Other Sure Start projects in the area already up and running also offer counselling services, exercise and healthy living classes, playbuses, links with health groups such as the Primary Care Trusts and creches, and improved access to social workers and speech therapists.

The report said: "Many initiatives are under way in East Lancashire to tackle child health problems.

"These projects illustrate the application of public health principles in strategy development.

"If sustained and enhanced these multi-agency initiatives should improve child health significantly and reduce health inequalities."

Schemes on the front line

SOME of the projects already on the go across East Lancashire aimed at tackling some of the problems faced by local children include:

Sure Start projects in Daneshouse and Stoneyholme (Burnley), Bradley and Whitefield (Pendle), West Accrington and Church (Hyndburn), Sudell and Central Darwen (Blackburn with Darwen), Mill Hill (Blackburn with Darwen) and a one proposed in Bacup and Stacksteads (Rossendale).

Blackburn with Darwen Environmental Health Campaigns in School.

Lancashire Healthy Schools Initiative, part of the National Healthy School Standard scheme.

A three-year East Lancashire Discover Physical Activity Programme, organised by East Lancashire Health Authority.

Appointment of two smoking cessation co-ordinators and development officers, plus a team of smoking cessation advisers, offering individual and group advice.

Blackburn with Darwen child pedestrian training and Blackburn with Darwen In-Car Safety Training, which aims to train midwives and health visitors to inform parents on correct car restraints.

Sexual health services include the Brook advisory centre, The Body Zone and the young people's drop-in centre in Larkhill Health Centre, all in Blackburn, Step-In at Rishton health Centre, Step-In at Clitheroe Health Centre, the Brook advisory centre in Burnley, Step-In at the Bacup Youth Information Shop and Step-In at Brierfield Health Centre.

Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust has funded a part-time midwife to work with pregnant teenagers and a peer support worker to develop young women's awareness of options before, during and after pregnancy.

Rossendale schools Emotional Health Project, set up in 2000.

School nurses have become public health practitioners, developing their health promotion and prevention roles.