HELP for young families could soon be on offer in Westy with the introduction of a scheme to tackle child poverty and social exclusion.

The Government has announced that Warrington is one of the towns chosen to compete for its Sure Start programmes, which aim to improve the health and well-being of families and children before and after birth.

The programme, which would be based in Westy, would work with parents to provide better access to family support, advice on nurturing, health services and early learning.

Colin Froggart, chairman of social services, said: "I hope we get the programme. It will make sure children get the best start in life. It will co-ordinate all the relevant services. There's lots of young families in Westy who would benefit from it."

All Sure Start programmes are expected to include outreach and home visiting, support for families and parents, support for good learning, play and childcare, primary and community health care and support for children and parents with special needs.

Specific services would be determined by a multi-agency steering group which has already been established to design a skeleton for Warrington's proposal.

Fifty-nine trailblazers across the country have already started work, with Warrington selected as a town to compete for the third wave of programmes.

A 'stakeholder conference' including people from the community of Westy will be held in the autumn to discuss ideas about the definite services which might be offered via Sure Start.

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