A CHILDREN’S centre in Verwood has received national recognition for its work with local pre-schools.
The Dorset team running Barnardo’s Sure Start centres in six towns, including Verwood, West Moors and Ferndown, is the first in the UK to be given a Rights Respecting Schools Award by UNICEF for its early years work.
The award confirms that the values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are embedded in all of their sessions both in the children’s centres and out in the community.
Barnardo’s children’s services manager Nicki Smith said: “We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award, and to be the first children’s centre in the UK to have achieved this standard.
“It’s a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our staff and the strength of our partnerships with local schools and communities.
“The award demonstrates how staff, parents and children are aware of children’s rights and the importance of safeguarding these values.
Last year Barnardo’s South West supported 14,000 children and young people challenged by poverty, abuse, disability and discrimination.
Sure Start children’s centres provide free support for parents of under 5s in a range of areas including parenting, health services, training and employment.
For more information visit www.barnardos.org.uk.
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