Bath and North East Somerset Council says it is reviewing how best to ensure that Children’s Centre Services continue to meet the needs of local families both now and in the future – sounding similar to the way plans to modernise local library services were introduced.

The Council maintains it is currently exploring the best way to commission

Children’s Centre Services efficiently and sustainably.

Cllr Michael Evans (Conservative, Midsomer Norton North), Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We are keen to build on the strength of the current Children’s Centre model which responds to local needs in each area.

“The future service would still continue to deliver high quality targeted early help to children and families who meet the thresholds for early help services through groups, courses and one-to-one support to improve outcomes around child development, parenting skills and aspirations, and child and family life chances whilst reducing inequalities.”

No decision has been made as yet. The Council is currently considering a range of options including the option of maintaining the current model; commissioning one whole Children’s Centre service across the whole of Bath and North East Somerset, or two separate services; bringing the Bath West service into the Council to be managed; including the services within Virgin Care’s contract for community health and care services; or tendering all or part of the service in or outside the scope of this

contract.

The Council has involved current Children’s Centre service providers in the

process to ensure their views have been considered. This will help inform future

commissioning options which meet the financial challenges faced by all

councils, and make the best use of joining up resources with other agencies, including health visitors, to ensure that families continue to receive the right support at the right time in the most effective way.

Each option has been assessed and the associated findings are due to be

presented to the Children and Young People’s Policy, Development and Scrutiny Panel next Tuesday, 14th March to review further on a preferred future option. More details are available in the Scrutiny Panel’s agenda papers at: https://

democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=551&MId=4609

Once a preferred option is identified, the Council will undertake further consultation with local families using the services and wider stakeholders before a proposal is put forward. The current contract for Children’s Centre Services expires at the end of September 2017, with the current Council budget for Children’s Centre Services set at £1.7 million. There are currently four Hub buildings, Radstock’s being one of these – proposed to move into the planned new Health Centre for the town.