PEOPLE do not support changes that would see the end of several children’s centres in West Somerset as well as others across the county – that is the finding of a recently published public consultation.
The consultation report was one of several papers considered by Somerset County Council’s scrutiny committee last week, and the matter will now be decided at the council’s cabinet meeting on Monday, February 12.
The council held the public consultation, from the end of September to December 1, over proposals that would see the current 24 Sure Start Children’s Centres in the county become a network of eight family centres, and the joining up of a number of services for children aged 0 to 19.
It said it needed to focus spending on staff and support rather than buildings, while making sure that at a time when councils had less money, services reached people who needed them most.
The proposals aim for more support in community venues, in people’s homes and online.
In West Somerset, they would see Alcombe Children’s Centre in Minehead, Little Vikings Children’s Centre in Watchet and Bishops Lydeard Children’s Centre, no longer designated as Sure Start Children’s Centres.
Williton Children’s Centre would keep its Sure Start designation, also develop as a family centre and location for joined up family support services staff.
The consultation, which reflected the views of over 1000 people through a questionnaire, open days, discussion forums, emails and a petition, found that:
n There was broad support for joining up health visiting, school nursing and getset services for children aged 0 – 19.
n In general, people did not support the de-designation of children’s centres.
n There was criticism that few alternative proposals had been made and people wanted more detail of what the changes would look like and how they would reduce spending.
n People wanted more, accessible, services, particularly for younger children; many mentioned the impact of change, reduced budgets and distrust of the council.
n Parents saw the option of online information as opportunities but were not keen to have online consultations.
n They disagreed with the idea of ‘targeted services for vulnerable families’ – feeling that everyone needs support and can be vulnerable, and while particular groups may need additional support, parenting is best done with a network of support.
On the question that looked at the statement that “children’s centres are so much more than buildings”, a majority of people did not support the proposed changes, said the report by Dialogue, the company which undertook the consultation.
The report said: “The expectations on children’s centres are wide and varied, from housing advice to child development support.
“Many people reported a culture of change and an erosion of services in recent years that has left buildings not fully utilised.
“While some could see a need for consolidation, there is a lack of trust in the council which leads many to think the loss of buildings will ultimately lead to the loss of the services almost entirely.
“People thought the flexibility and opportunity offered by having space in a building available will be lost.”
In a response to the consultation report, Somerset County Council replied to a number of issues raised and said that, while it understood people associated buildings with services, it wanted to reassure people that “a reduction in the buildings funded and maintained by the council would not reduce services available”.
Full report in the Free Press