Save the Children reported that its resesrch shows the number of UK children living in 'severe poverty' rose in the four years before the recession, while the Audit Commission has found that children under five living in deprived areas have a significantly 'higher risk of poor health'.
The DCSF has also reported that disadvantaged families in the UK are failing to access childcare even when it is free. The Government says part of the problem is that families often don't know what benefits they are entitled to.
This is where Sure Start centres should play a part. However, the Audit Commission found many parents from vulnerable groups were not using Sure Start because they were either unaware of the service or they found the attitude of the staff off-putting or too judgmental.
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