A consultation on children’s services in the area needs feedback on four possible options.
Since the last reorganisation of children’s centres in Central Beds in 2011, there has been an increased focus on early help and intervention, with services targeted at those families who need them the most.
These can include intensive parenting support, working with Job Centre Plus to provide training and employment opportunities to help parents into work, and other measures to better tackle child poverty and reduce health inequality.
The four options outline who will be able to access services and what sort of support will be provided.
All services will be delivered from the existing nine children’s centre hubs. They are:
• Option 1 – existing model offering universal services to children aged 0-5 and their families
• Option 2 – offering services to children aged 0-3 and their families within areas with the highest need
• Option 3 – offering services to children aged 0-5 and their families within areas with the highest need
• Option 4 – offering universal services to children aged 0-3 and their families
Universal services like weighing and baby clinics, breastfeeding support, two year-old checks, speech and language drop-ins and others will continue to be offeredat all hubs.
The consultation runs until August 14, you can have your say online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations.
The feedback from the consultation will be considered by the council’s Executive at their meeting on 14 October where a final decision will be made.