Together for Children

With thanks to Gloucestershire County Council
Sam Zinkin - SHAPE Organisational Development Manager
01452 426642

With thanks to Gloucestershire County Council
Sam Zinkin - SHAPE Organisational Development Manager
01452 426642

With thanks to Gloucestershire County Council
Sam Zinkin - SHAPE Organisational Development Manager
01452 426642

Since September 2006 the London Borough of Ealing has been steering the development of Children’s Centre services through four Area Boards.

Howdon Children’s Centre has evolved from the former Sure Start Local Programme in Howdon whose strategic leadership was delivered by a Community Partnership Board. This Board has now taken on the strategic leadership role of the Howdon Children’s Centre. Membership of the Howdon Children’s Centre Community Partnership Board includes representatives from a variety of groups.

Westminster Council, in reshaping its governance arrangements around children’s centres, wanted to retain the strong partnership model developed with Sure Start Local Programme Boards. The impact of this governance model has been a balanced and fairer view of the needs and funding priorities of local communities, away from the immediate requirements of individual children’s centres or schools.

Governance for Guildford Children's Centre was originally managed by two bodies which lead to 'grey areas' of understanding and responsibility. By re-developing responsibility for governance into a single 'Community Partnership' Guildford hope to achieve greater unity and consistency, with good understanding and visibility of all issues.

At a time of major transformational change in the role of schools and the use of the educational estate, Cheshire sees its children’s centres as a cornerstone of development within the authority. An early decision was taken that the day-to-day management of the Centres should initially be through the Children’s Services Department. Due to changing needs this approach required a re-think.

The centre is co-located with Knights Templar Primary School. The management of the centre and the advisory board are separate from the school governing body. The lead body is the local authority

Milton Court Children’s Centre is co-located with Milton Court Primary School. Governance is arranged so the management of the centre and the advisory board are separate from the school governing body. The local authority is the lead body.

Millmead Community Mutual is a social enterprise. It has four trading wings, Riverbank Out of School Club, Meadow Nursery, Community Café and the Children’s Centre. The Company is incorporated and governed by the Rules (internal management procedures, roles of members and Directors) and is a Company limited by shares.

Governance development documents - Leeds City Council

With thanks to Leeds CC for sharing their governance development working documents. For more information, please contact Sharon House, Children's Centre Programme Manager on 0113 247 6832 or email sharon.house@leeds.gov.uk.

Governance development documents - Hackney

With thanks to Hackney for sharing their governance development working documents. For more information, please contact Donna Thomas, Children's Centre Manager on 020 8820 7000 or email donna.thomas@learningtrust.co.uk.

Sample terms of reference

Sample terms of reference

Governance development documents - Milton Keynes

With thanks to Milton Keynes for sharing their governance development working documents.

Core terms of reference