Issue - meetings

Councillor Binmore (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) introduced the report.  She stated that the report had been drafted before detailed information regarding the Early Intervention Grant, which including Sure Start and Children’s Centres, had been received by the Council.  Therefore, funding levels for Children's Centres had been assumed at the time the report was written.  It is proposed that the current network of 15 Sure Start centres will increase to 16 with all Sure Start funding received directed at front line services.  The reorganisation of the Family Support Services will allow the most vulnerable families to receive help at the earliest opportunity.  Cabinet was informed that no decision was being made at the meeting regarding the future of Children’s Centres.  A public consultation on the proposed Sure Start Children’s Centres programme will shortly commence allowing parents, carers and providers to have their input.

In response to questions regarding proposed closure of children's centres, possible reduction in staffing levels and maintaining the same standards of service in spite of a £3.2m cut in the budget, Councillor Binmore noted that:-

·        There will be no closure of centres.  Services are proposed from 16 centres.

·        The Council has not agreed to cut 50 full time posts; some posts in question are part time.  The results of the consultation will determine how and where services will be provided.  Service provision should be targeted at areas of most need bringing together services which would be provided through multidisciplinary teams.  The reconfiguration of Family Support Services aims to improve support for vulnerable children and families.

·        Proposed savings will be achieved through the removal of duplications amongst the teams and a reduction in back office costs.  The reduction in tier 2 and 3 services helps to safeguard tier 4 services.

Some Opposition Councillors asked that the report be withdrawn as it indicated that some Children’s Centres would be closed and the report’s funding assumptions were inaccurate.  Councillor Binmore reiterated that the report was about the reorganisation of the Family Support Service and not focusing on Children’s Centres.  The Locality team model based on the successful Family Intervention project model would allow quick response and support for the most vulnerable from birth to school age.  The teams would work closely with GPs, health visitors and schools and deliver services in Children's Centres.

In response to other questions, Cabinet was informed that :-

·        The Education Select Committee will consider the Children’s Centres report.

·        A separate Child Protection team will be retained.

·        After 2013, current PCT funding will be provided by the GP commissioning body.

·        Potentially affected teachers will be involved in the consultation processes which would last up to a month.

RESOLVED:

1. That  the implementation of a locality team model for Family Support at a total cost of £832k, as set out in para. 3.7 of the report, be approved.

2. That approval is given to change the children’s centre programme, within financial constraints.