ABSS delivering improved outcomes – an emerging picture

Alex Khaldi, Independent Chair, ABSS Partnership Board, introduces Dr Clare Littleford, ABSS Research and Evaluation Manager, in describing an emerging story of the impact the A Better Start Southend programme is making on outcomes for children and families.

Together with our partners, including the University of Essex, we will be building more evidence over the coming months and years, but a clear picture is already emerging.  Over a range of measures, we are beginning to ‘close the gap’ in outcomes between children born in the more disadvantaged wards in Southend, compared to those in more affluent areas.

‘We believe this change has happened because firstly, we have a whole system offer –  over 29 projects and services enabling all aspects of a child’s start in life to be supported – and secondly, because we have worked with communities, putting parents at the heart of everything we do.

When these two things happen together, that’s when real change happens for families’

Alex Khaldi

The outcomes being achieved for the six wards in which we currently work can be replicated across Southend or even more widely.  Indeed, we are grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for approving the extension of our programme in some areas beyond ABSS wards, including the delivery of YourFamily Southend-wide.

Our YourFamily offer to parents is a way of joining up everything we offer and reaching even more parents.  We are working on an exciting plan to make sure the momentum is maintained beyond 2025 when our current lottery funding ends.

Alex Khaldi pays tribute to local strategic partners, delivery partners, ABSS staff and most importantly of all, parents and children.

‘This kind of change can only be delivered when we are all pulling together to give every child in Southend, the Better Start they deserve.  I hope you share our pride in what has been done, but more importantly, our excitement about what we can achieve in the future.’

Alex Khaldi