Governance
Our Quality Accounts
We are pleased to share with you our annual Quality Accounts (QA).
A Quality Account is a report about the quality of services offered by an NHS healthcare provider. The reports are published annually by each provider, including the independent sector, and are available to the public. Quality Accounts are an important way for local NHS services to report on quality and show improvements in the services they deliver to local communities and stakeholders. The quality of the services is measured by looking at patient safety, the effectiveness of treatments patients receive, and patient feedback about the care provided. The Department of Health and Social Care requires providers to submit their final Quality Account to the Secretary of State by uploading it to the NHS website by June 30 each year.
You will see that our Quality Account includes a lot of what we have achieved in the year just passed and sets out what we aim to achieve in the current year. There is lot to be celebrated and we hope that the general public and our stakeholders see what great work we’re doing.
ECFWS Annual Quality Accounts
Essex Quality Account 2024-2025
Download the Essex Quality Account 2024-25
More Information
Family Hub Advisory Boards
Primary Purpose
Family Hub (Children’s Centre) Advisory Boards are a key component of the government’s commitment to:
- Give every child the best start in life
- Improve outcomes for all children, but particularly the most vulnerable members of the community
- Provide opportunities and support for parents
- Develop stronger and safer communities
Local authorities must decide to secure that each of its Family Hubs has an advisory board. The Act does not require that each Hub has its own board so where it makes sense, these can cluster together and share an advisory board.
An advisory board advises and helps those responsible for running the Family Hub, it should ensure the centre is clear on parents’ views and should play an active role in driving improvement in the Family Hub’s offer.
Principles and Objectives of The Board
The main aim of an Advisory Board is to work with Family Hub staff and partners to advise and make recommendations about the development and running of the Family Hub on the following areas:
- Maintain focus on improving outcomes and closing the gap for all children and young people.
- To provide Support and challenge to provider agencies working in the Family Hubs
- Engagement of local families and communities in planning and decision making – Family voice
- Provide Targeted support for issues identified in local action plans
- Promotion of equality through access to Family Hubs for all members of society
- Promote awareness of the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service and support with the development of an effective communication plan
- Ensure there is consistent, accessible and up to date information, advice and guidance for parents.
- Facilitate and encourage integrated working
- Contribute towards the development of a local action plan and support with it’s implementation
- Actively participate in Ofsted and/or CQC inspections
- Facilitate joint working with Local Children’s Partnership Boards
Guidance on Advisory Boards is contained within the Surestart Children’s Centres Statutory Guidance, April 2013
Section 5C of the Childcare Act 2006 puts a duty on local authorities to ensure each children’s centre is within the remit of an Advisory Board