The Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme aims to renew failing housing markets in areas of the North and Midlands of England. This article looks at the balance between mitigating the impact on individual households and securing longer-term benefits for the community. It highlights the importance of building the capacities of local communities and getting active engagement with regeneration processes.

NEW GUIDANCE ON CHILDREN’S CENTRES FOR COUNCILS AND PARTNERS

Local authorities and their partners are being given new guidance that sets out high expectations for Sure Start Children’s Centres and their efforts to tackle child poverty by improving the lives of under-fives and their families. The guidelines bring together evidence and best practice on ways to reach those families that are most in need.

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TOUGHER GOING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES

Improvements in adult social services provision are slowing down, according to the latest Performance Ratings but Directors of Social Services say the achievements are the result of a huge effort by staff and that they have been achieved in the teeth of severe budget restraints and with some councils having to step up their eligibility criteria.

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