Sure Start is a national initiative that was launched in April 1999 as part of the National Assembly for Wales Strategy for Children.

Sure Start involves working with parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of children - particularly those who are disadvantaged - to ensure that they have the best start in life.

The main objectives are to :

1. Improve children’s social and emotional development - in particular by supporting early bonding between parents and their children, helping families to function and by enabling the early identification and support of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
2. Improve children’s health - in particular by supporting parent’s in caring for their children to promote healthy development before and after birth.
3. Improve children’s ability to learn - in particular by encouraging stimulating and enjoyable play, improving language skill and through the early identification and support for children with learning difficulties.
4. Strengthen families and communities - in particular by enhancing family’s opportunities for involvement in the community and improving the sensitivity of existing services to local needs.

Local authorities throughout Wales including Neath Port Talbot were asked to submit a Sure Start Plan in partnership with the health sector, voluntary sector and local communities.

The Sure Start Plan was developed by a group of professionals working with children and families. The process involved looking at what services were already in existence and also identifying what other services were needed by families to ensure that children had the best start in life.

The Neath Port Talbot Sure Start Plan was submitted to the National Assembly for Wales in July 1999 and funding was approved in October 1999. The first project to offer its service commenced in December of 1999. Since then, over 26 projects have been funded to provide a whole range of support and information covering all areas of Neath Port Talbot. These can be categorised into:

1. Family support
2. Befriending services
3. Loan equipment
4. Support for children with special needs
5. Childcare