Tower Hamlets played host to three cabinet ministers yesterday morning (Thursday 13 Feb), as the government unveiled its new children’s health strategy at Shadwell Children’s Centre.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health and Health Minister Anne Keen all headed to the borough to launch Healthy lives, brighter future: the strategy for children and young people’s health.

Aiming to give all children a healthier start to life, the new strategy gives a huge boost to the borough’s children’s centres who will now all be able to call on a dedicated health visitor for support. The Family Nurse Partnership, which supports first time mothers, will also be extended as part of the new strategy and a new antenatal programme is also being developed.

A key element of the strategy is the strengthening of the role of children’s centres in the community. Tower Hamlets currently has 19 children’s centres – which are fun places that aim to help under-fives and their families play, learn and develop together.

Shadwell is seen as a perfect example of how a children’s centre can combine health services with the development of children under five. It’s exactly the kind of centre the government is hoping to see across the country as a result of the new strategy.

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health said: “The Child Health Strategy will help to ensure that healthcare and children’s services work together to help every child to have a healthy and happy start to life.

“Our aim is to provide mothers and fathers with the support that they need to give their children a healthy start in life and to help young people to make healthy choices.”

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families said: “We know good health is vital if children and young people are to enjoy their childhood and achieve their full potential. We want to back all parents as they bring up their children, and ensure that every child or young person leads as healthy a possible life.

“We want to make England the best place in the world for our children and young people to grow up. Our flagship Children’s Plan set out how, building on over ten years of social reform, we are working even harder to give every child a good and healthy start in life.”

Cllr Clair Hawkins, Lead Member for Children’s Services at Tower Hamlets Council attended the visit and met with ministers to discuss the work of children’s centres in the borough:

“Children’s centres play such an important role in helping our children get off to the very best possible start in life.

“As well as developing children and preparing them for the move into education later on in life, the close links they have with the Primary Care Trust and other services help make sure our children grow up both healthily and happily.

“Through the new strategy, children’s centres like Shadwell will benefit from even more support so they can continue to be an integral part of the local community.”

During their visit, the ministers were shown around Shadwell Children’s Centre by joint managers Meena Hoque and Rehana Murshed. After discussing the work of the centre with staff and Kevan Collins, Director of Children’s Services at Tower Hamlets Council, the Ministers then joined in a “Boom, Bang Bees” singing session with local parents and children. Boom, Bang Bees helps children to develop their speech and language skills, and is another example of the important work that children’s centres do in preparing under-fives for the move into school.

Children’s centres are located throughout Tower Hamlets, and details of your nearest one can be found at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk or by calling the Children’s Information Service on 020 7364 5006.