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Celebrating post-covid catch-up project for families

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A Gloucestershire County Council initiative to support babies and toddlers born in lockdown has helped children and their families with extra groups, professional support, and activities.

Steps Ahead was set up to provide support, advice, and activities for families with children born during the height of the pandemic, aiming to reduce the impact of lockdown on babies and toddlers. The project was intended to be active for a short period of time and over 2000 children have benefitted since the launch in April 2022.

Families have been able to access sessions directly at Children and Families Centres across Gloucestershire. Sessions included behaviour management, child development, healthy eating, toileting and sleeping.

So far, around 90 per cent of babies and toddlers attending the Steps Ahead sessions have demonstrated increased confidence, as well as better developed social, emotional and communication skills. Nearly 90 per cent of parents and carers attending Steps Ahead have felt more confident, and over 80 per cent have fed back they are experiencing an improved home environment and their children are happier.

The project was funded by £919k from the Covid Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) and was run by different partners around the county. Support for families in Gloucester, Stroud and the Forest of Dean was provided by Barnardo’s, while support for families in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the Cotswolds was provided by Aspire Foundation. 

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Health Visiting Team have delivered bespoke health related advice and support county-wide. This has included tailored care and group work to support child development, providing nutritional, sleep and behaviour advice, as well as supporting child/family relationships and infant mental health.

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for early years at Gloucestershire County Council, said, “The Steps Ahead project has achieved its aim of helping young children and their families catch up with early years support, and hopefully this will reduce the impact of lockdown in their lives. I’m moved by the feedback we’ve received from parents and carers who have benefitted from Steps Ahead.

“I want to congratulate the project partners and their staff at our children’s centres for providing a central point where parents can connect, find support and friendship, regardless of their background. Thank you for supporting so many people and for collaborating in a way which the county council will use to inform future children’s services.”

Sessions for the Steps Ahead project will stop after 31 March 2023, however there are many alternative groups and activities taking place around the county. Find more information on community support for children and families on the Steps Ahead webpage.