Journal Facts

Journal
Auto/Biography
ISSN
0967-5507
Volume
14
Issue
4

Article Facts

Title
Claiming and Sustaining Space? Sure Start and the Auto/Biographical Imagination
DOI
10.1177/0967550706073343
Authors
  • Linden West (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, lrw4 at canterbury.ac.uk)
  • Andrea Carlson (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK)
Pages
359-380

Article Links

Claiming and Sustaining Space? Sure Start and the Auto/Biographical Imagination

Linden West (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, lrw4 at canterbury.ac.uk), Andrea Carlson (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK)

DOI: 10.1177/0967550706073343

Abstract

We focus, in this paper, using in-depth auto/biographical research, on a Sure Start project in a marginalized community, seeking to understand its impact and meaning through the stories of families. Programmes like Sure Start represent contested space: they may be seen as an exercise in social control in relation to the marginal other. But diverse objectives, values and people shape such programmes and the resources they offer can be experienced in different ways. We provide three narratives from parents who were initially deeply suspicious — in a community where public interventions tend to be treated with caution — and yet found meaningful support with difficult problems. The narratives also reveal the potential of Sure Start to create transactional space for popular involvement in planning and running public services. We interviewed diverse professionals about these processes and suggest that an auto/biological imagination lies at the heart of effective professional practice as well as research. We are reminded, in the process, of a shared and fundamental human need to be loved and cared for, particularly at times of distress. There is much to learn from such a project, but progress remains fragile and the lessons, for public policy, are easily lost.

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