Consultation on proposals for children’s centre services now underway
Plans to deliver children’s centres services from six new family hubs across Shropshire are out to public consultation until 12 July 2018, and people are being urged to have their say.
Under the proposals, services would be delivered from six key buildings instead of the existing 26 buildings, namely: The Centre – Oswestry; Richmond House – Shrewsbury; Crowmoor Centre – Shrewsbury; Rockspring Centre – Ludlow; and buildings in Whitchurch and Bridgnorth that are yet to be decided.
Chidren’s centre services would continue to be provided from the six new hubs, and through local community venues and home visits.
The consultation began on 29 May and will run for six weeks. Some 25 public meetings will be held, with the first having taken place this week in Ellesmere, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Cleobury Mortimer and Shifnal (see list below for dates and locations).
People can also complete an online version of the consultation questionnaire via the Shropshire Council website, or complete and return a hard copy.
Nick Bardsley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services and education, said:
“The proposed new delivery model for Early Help services across the county will provide whole family support, dealing with all the issues a family faces, with their full involvement and consent. The principle of delivering these services through bases or hubs was generally well received during the first consultation but now we want to know people’s views about these more detailed proposals, and about the proposed locations of the six hubs, and I urge them to let us know what they think.
“We want to provide support to children and families who are most in need of our help, quickly and in the right way. We also currently spend an awful lot of money on a lot of buildings, some of which are only used for a very small part of the week. We think it’d far better to focus our resources on providing services for those who need our help, rather than paying for buildings.”
Under the proposals services provided by Shropshire Council’s partners will also continue, including midwifery services, health visitor services and services for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, especially those with special needs.
Shropshire Council does not intend to close the 20 unneeded buildings but anticipates that they would be used by other organisations providing services for children and families.
The proposals have been drawn up following a previous consultation held in February and March 2018 in which families, stakeholders and staff were asked for their views on the idea of family hubs. Their views and opinions have helped to shape the proposals that will now go to further consultation.
Further information
June/July 2018 – future public consultation events
In the week beginning 4 June events were held in Ellesmere; Meole Brace (Shrewsbury); Cleobury Mortimer; Woodside (Oswestry); and Shifnal
Monday 11 June
10.00 am – 11.00am Sunflower House, Shrewsbury
2.00pm – 3.00pm St Mary’s Children’s Centre, Bridgnorth
7.00pm – 8.00pm Church Stretton, Mayfair Centre
Tuesday 12 June
10.00 am – 11.00am Honeysuckle Lodge, Martin Wilson School, Shrewsbury
Wednesday 13 June
2.00pm – 3.00pm Mereside School, Shrewsbury
Thursday 14 June
10.00am – 11.00am Buttercup Lodge, Sundorne Infant School, Shrewsbury
Monday 18 June
7.00pm – 8.00pm Whitchurch, Civic Centre
Tuesday 19 June
10.30am – 11.30am Highley, Severn Centre
6.30pm – 7.30pm Bishop’s Castle Children’s Centre
Wednesday 20 June
2.00pm – 3.00pm Albrighton Children’s Centre
Thursday 21 June
10.00am – 11.00am Baschurch Children’s Centre
Tuesday 26 June
1.30pm – 2.30pm Broseley, Birch Meadow Centre
Thursday 28 June
10.00am – 11.00am Bayston Hill, Library
Monday 2 July
10.00am – 11.00am Wem Children’s Centre
Tuesday 3 July
2.00pm – 3.00pm Minsterley, Parish Rooms
Wednesday 4 July
10.00am – 11.00am Craven Arms Children’s Centre
1.30pm – 2.30pm Children’s Centre, Market Drayton Infant School
Thursday 12 July (Childminders’ network)
6.30pm – 7.30pm Shrewsbury, Riversway
