Influencing, improving & insisting upon inventive and integrated servicesWhat are families offered, what do they want and how can NCT make sure they get it?

University of Cardiff

Rosie DoddsElizabeth DuffNCT Senior Policy Advisers

People in the transition to parenthood (TTP) are likely to need services in acute and community health, public health, early education and childcare. Parents also have needs for employment, income, housing, nutrition, transport, goods & equipment for babies, security, social support, leisure, communication and information, all appropriate for themselves and their families.

To lobby for what we know parents want …

NCT provides, offers or stimulates solutions- which meet the needs of politicians, policy makers and service providers - for both short-term successes and long-term benefits - in terms of finance, efficiency and outcomes

Current situation – snapshot• Families have reduced incomes• UK has a rising birthrate, economic/social

migration • Child poverty is set to increase• Fuel poverty affects children

disproportionately

Current situation – snapshot

• Flying Start is expanding to reach more families

• Paternity leave increased• Healthy Start

NCT supports Welsh maternity strategy•Should support choice and ensure consistent services•But not clear how users involved in design •Need to bring together all services – linking NHS, local authorities and community groups to share information, expertise and services.

NCT supports integrated services

•bringing together all family services – access to benefits, advice, social services, childcare, support for disabled parents or children via local authority, charities and community groups.

Families – how do we see them?

NCT’s new strategy – ways of working•Growth – we will continue to increase our reach, both geographic and social, to all parents and expand our postnatal and early years services.•Thought leadership – we will use our position of influence to change the perception of parenthood and create breakthrough solutions to address the dilemmas parents face.•Partnership – to deliver on ambitious targets we will work more formally with other organisations to increase the support available to new parents and expand their availability to reach even more of the population

Thank you very much for attending and joining in discussionWe always need your news and views.Please stay in touch and feed through any thoughts and ideas.

Rosie Dodds r_dodds@nct.org.ukElizabeth Duff e_duff@nct.org.uk