Severn Centre in Highley to welcome new services for families as Best Start Network Site
Shropshire Council has announced The Severn Centre in Highley as the location for a Best Start in Life Network Site to open as part of its transformation of children’s services.
Best Start Family Hubs and Network Sites are designed to offer families access to the help and support their children may need in a single location near to them. While a broader range of services will be available at hubs, services at all locations will be adapted to meet the needs of their local communities.
The services at The Severn Centre will be developed in the coming months and include home learning environment and parenting support. Guided Stay and Play sessions will help show parents and carers how everyday interactions, routines and activities in the home can support their children’s educational development and learning, while a range of groups is expected to be available to support parents’ broader needs.
The centre will be one of six designated Best Start Family Hubs and Network Sites in Shropshire. Best Start in Life services are already being delivered at the first Best Start Family Hub, The Lantern in Shrewsbury. The Severn Centre is the first network site to be identified, with two more still to be confirmed.
The development of Best Start in Life services is part of a broader transformation of children’s services being delivered by Shropshire Council and aligned with government statutory requirements affecting children’s services nationwide. The aim of the changes is to help improve the number of Shropshire children starting school having met their development milestones and to reduce the number of children in care. The changes will help make a more child-friendly Shropshire.
In addition, the programme will help Shropshire Council meet the objectives of its corporate and improvement plans by improving the health of Shropshire communities and making the council more sustainable financially.
Councillor Andy Hall, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:
“We are delighted to confirm the location of a Best Start Network Site at The Severn Centre in Highley. This is a significant investment in the village, and having these services available on families’ doorsteps will support parents and help ensure local children thrive and give them the best start in life.”
The plans for the transformation of children’s services were approved by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet in June. The programme will see a new focus on prevention, and on greater collaboration between agencies and services to ensure a smoother experience for families needing support. It will affect services for children aged 0 to 18 as well as for young adults with SEND up to age 25.
