Posted on Monday 16th January 2012
Staffordshire is bucking the national trend by revealing innovative plans that will see its Children’s Centres services being reshaped to better serve their community.
The county council has drawn up proposals that would see red tape rather than services reduced.
The plans have come at a time when many local authorities across the country are cutting back on subsidised children’s services.
Staffordshire, however, is working hard to make the centres more tailored and cost effective.
The proposed changes would see the activities and services offered at the centres widened so that they best meet the needs of the community they serve.
This means that vulnerable families would be able to access the facilities they need right on their doorstep, rather than spending time and money visiting Children’s Centres in other districts.
County Councillor Mike Lawrence, Cabinet member for Children’s Wellbeing, said: “In Staffordshire we are committed to providing good value for money for our taxpayers while at the same time, protecting frontline services as much as possible.
“This consultation is part of an ongoing and constant process of reviewing the way we operate to ensure that we are running the county as efficiently and effectively as possible.
“In times of austerity, it is often the most vulnerable members of the community that suffer. These proposals recognise that and aim to make life easier for people by offering a wider range of high quality tailored services, right in the heart of the community. Some simple changes will make the Children’s Centres of greater use to residents which makes them more cost effective.”
The county council has launched a consultation today (January 16) which will run until March 11 2012.
The proposals would see Children’s Centres in the same district working more closely by merging management.
This would ensure consistency within geographical areas and improve value for money for taxpayers by reducing administrative costs.
A second proposal would see the county council move away from providing childcare places, which currently accounts for 2.8 per cent of all provision within Staffordshire, and the wider private and voluntary sector taking over.
This would save an estimated £800,000 of public money and would also support local businesses as well as the voluntary and private sectors.
To view the consultation in full or to comment on line visit: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/childrenscentreconsultation|.
Alternatively:
Email childrenscentreconsultation@staffordshire.gov.uk|
Write to: Children’s Centres Consultation, Early Years and Childcare Service, Staffordshire County Council, Wedgwood Building, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH
Attend: A series of public information sessions at Children’s Centres across the county. The full list of sessions is attached or via the website www.staffordshire.gov.uk/childrenscentreconsultation|
For a hard copy of the document or for this information in another format please contact 0300 111 8000.