Best Start in Life Plan
Oxfordshire's plan for improving good level of development for all babies and children.
Giving every child the best start in life
The experiences babies and young children have before they start school shape their health, learning and wellbeing for the rest of their lives. What happens in pregnancy and the early years has a lasting impact on children’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, learning and relationships.
In Oxfordshire, many children do well. However, we know this is not the case for everyone. Some families face barriers linked to poverty, poor health, trauma, isolation or wider pressures, which can make it harder to access support or to give children the start they want for them.
This Best Start in Life Plan (pdf format, 878KB) sets out, in clear and accessible language, what we want to achieve for babies, young children and families in Oxfordshire, and how services and partners will work together to make this happen. It focuses on the period from pregnancy through to starting school, when timely support can make the greatest difference.
Our ambition
Our ambition is straightforward: every child in Oxfordshire has the best possible start in life so every child can grow up safe, happy, healthy, learning and engaged and every family gets the support they need, at the right time, in the right place.
Governance
The Best Start Plan will report to the Children’s Trust Board, which will hold overall responsibility for monitoring the performance and impact of the plan. Updates will be provided quarterly.
To support this, a Best Start Plan Steering Group will be responsible for prioritising the plan, tracking progress, and addressing any risks or issues. The Steering Group will also ensure oversight of the combined budget and make recommendations on funding allocation to the appropriate boards.
Delivery of the Best Start Plan will take place through the Oxfordshire Education Partnership, Early Years Board, and Early Help and Prevention Board, with progress and outcomes ultimately reported back to the Steering Group and Children’s Trust Board and to the Health and Well-being Board.