Children in NI 'are missing out'

The scheme helps children achieve their potential

Children in Northern Ireland are losing out on a government initiative aimed to give them the best start in life, it has been claimed.

The claim was made by Concordia, an umbrella group representing business, trade unions and voluntary sector.

Concordia said despite SureStart children's centres having been successful in England, there were no plans to introduce them in NI.

The centres help children with their key skills and emotional development.

Concordia chairman Seamus McAleavey said: "There are already 800 children's centres in England with one planned for every community by 2010.

"Yet in Northern Ireland, where levels of child poverty are probably higher than in England, the government has announced no plans to introduce this valuable initiative."

The SureStart programme - other aspects of which run in Northern Ireland under the auspices of the Department of Health - aims to offer support to families, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

Their brief covers everything from health issues to social isolation.