City children’s centres could be transformed into family hubs

PLANS TO replace children’s centres in Sheffield with new family hubs as part of an overhaul of the way it supports young people are set to be discussed by senior councillors next week.

Under the proposals, the centres will now open up their services to children from pre-birth to 25 years old in an effort to “meet the needs of families” across the city.

The authority has stressed that none of its existing 16 centres, which currently provide services for children up to five years, will close – with the service actually expanding to include families, young people and children, it said.

Instead, the plans would see seven of the centres transformed into flagship family hubs, with the remaining number acting as dedicated linked and outreach centres.

Jayne Ludlam, executive director for children, young people and families at Sheffield City Council, said: “This is really good news for Sheffield. Building on the strength of our early-years work, the proposed changes will allow more people to access support through increased outreach and partnership work, helping those families who need it the most to get the help that they need. The family centres will build on the principle of early help and prevention and focus on making early interventions at an early stage before problems escalate.

“These changes are categorically not about closing children’s centres. This will not happen. We will continue to invest in our children, young people and families, and these changes will make sure we can improve the range of services that we offer across the city.”

The proposed changes, which will go before cabinet members next Wednesday, have been informed by the findings of a threemonth consultation, which saw 24 drop-in sessions held across the city and more than 600 people respond.

A total of 87 per cent “agreed or strongly agreed” with extending the service from nought to five to pre-birth to 25. Respondents felt that the most important services were support for their own and child’s health and wellbeing; meeting other parents/ children to develop support networks; supporting knowledge and understanding of child development, and accessing advice during pregnancy.