‘Not enough evidence’ to justify closing the majority of children and family centres
The evidence justifying plans to close the majority of children and family centres across West Sussex has been questioned by opposition councillors.
The cuts form part of a proposed redesign of the county council’s Early Help provision which it says aims to improve the services offered to the most vulnerable children and families, making sure they receive the help they need.
During a meeting last Thursday a scrutiny committee‘broadlysupported’ the plans but raised a number of questions and concerns.
Michael Jones (Lab, Southgate & Gossops Green) agreed there was a need for more support, particularly in areas of deprivation, but didn’t think the data published by the council did enough to back up the proposals for the centres.
He added: “It seems to me
we need the children and family centres more than ever.”
He pointed out there was even less data to justify proposals to close all 12 Find it Out youth advice centres.
Jacquie Russell, cabinet member for children and young people said the Early Help service – which supports around 4,000 children a year on Early Help plans – had continued throughout the
pandemic when the centres were closed. She added: “Requests for service uptake were at a record high and that is pretty strong evidence that the service does not need to remain in a building.”
The centres provide support to families with children aged five and under and deal with issues such as child development, school readiness, parenting skills, and health.
But sometimes a building offers more than just a place to go for help and advice.
Kirsty Lord (Lib Dem, Hassocks and Burgess Hill South) shared the story of a resident whose child has a rare brain disorder and was ‘ rescued’ after walking into her local centre and pouring out her soul to one of the staff. She went on to meet ‘lifelong friends’ there.
Ms Lord herself described how, as a young mum new to the area, she went to a baby group at her local centre and ‘met friendly faces going through the same thing at the same time’.
The issue of mental health was raised by Ann Bridges (Con, Lancing), who said: “There is a need for parents and children to meet with other parents and children.”
One of the council’s concerns, though, is that the ‘centre-based’ approach did not necessarily reach those children and families most in need of help, which is a key point of the redesign.
Lucy Butler, executive director of children, young people and learning, said there had been an increase in the number of children and families using the Early Help services. Sheadded:“Thisnew targeted model will be able to reach the most vulnerable children and families, will be able to really enable us to be much more community focused.”
Ms Butler added that she was aware that ‘change on this magnitude causes a lot of anxiety’ but told the meeting that many other authorities had moved to this way of working.
An online petition opposing the closures has been signed by more than 7,500 people. Visit change.org and search West Sussex children and family centres.
The sharp increase in COVID-19 infection rates across our communities in Sussex in recent weeks means that demand for NHS and care services across the county has risen significantly.
Staff across the NHS and local authorities are working tirelessly to ensure they continue to provide safe and consistent care.
Hospitals, community teams, mental health services, social care, GP practices and the NHS111 service are incredibly busy, but remain open and there for you.
Your GP practice is open and is continuing to provide online, phone and face-to-face appointments for all those who need them.
NHS 111 can also be used 24/7 either by calling 111 or going online – 111.nhs.uk. You can access help, advice and even a time slot with the right health service for your needs.
The current demand on NHS services does mean that we have had to make some temporary changes to the way we work.
Our hospitals are continuing to provide cancer care and other urgent operations and are working hard to continue providing other non-COVID-related treatments where it is safe to do so.
However, some routine, planned operations may be delayed. These decisions are never taken lightly and we are sorry to anyone affected.
Planned home births and the midwife-led unit in Eastbourne have also been temporarily paused.
This is to ensure that births can continue in the safest way possible at this time.
The teams who have been supporting through pregnancy will continue to provide care in hospitals.
We are also having to focus on how people are supported to leave hospital when they are medically ready.
The current demand on services could mean some patients are discharged from hospitals into community settings which may not be their first choice.
Our teams are talking to all patients and their families who are affected by this to help and support them in the best way possible.
While services are extremely busy, it is still very important that people seek NHS care if they need it.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday, January 4 2021, the UK is now in a national lockdown.
This means you should stay at home and only go out for essential reasons.
Attending medical appointments and travel to them is classed as essential, and we urge you to keep appointments unless you feel unwell, have suspected coronavirus symptoms or have been contacted directly by the NHS to rearrange your appointment time.
The full list of what you can and can’t do is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/ national-lockdown-stayat-home.
We would encourage people to use the range of services available to them to check out any symptoms of concern, including www.nhs.uk, their local pharmacy, GP practice and NHS111.
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