Cash-strapped council proposes restructure of children’s centres in bid to save £2m

A cash-strapped council has launched a consultation on proposals to restructure services provided by Children’s Centres across the borough.

Greenwich council runs 23 Children’s Centres, more than any other local authority in south-east London. 

Each site offers early help services and activities from infant feeding, midwifery and health visiting to soft play, baby massage and forest school.  

Proposals, which the council has called ‘Children’s Centres beyond walls’, aim to create a service which is “more flexible” and closer to people’s homes. 

Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We know how important it is to give our children the best possible start in life. 

“Like other councils across the country, we are facing the inevitable consequences of years of cuts by the former government.”

The council needs to make savings of around £33.7 million, including £2 million from the running of its childrens centres, said Cllr Khaireh.

Despite the cuts, the council said £3.6 million will continue to be invested into the service.

Cllr Khaireh said: “Lots of families really value and benefit from the advice, activities, and support on offer at our Children’s Centres.  

“That’s why we are so determined to reshape these services in a way that will ensure help is still available, despite the need to make savings. But we need our residents to help us by taking part in this important consultation.” 

The local authority is proposing changes to services at 14 centres, which means some activities may no longer run at certain sites.

The centres with proposed changes were chosen due to a mixture of cost, size and how well used they are.  Some of the most vital services, such as home visits for families, health visiting, infant feeding, and midwifery, will continue to run. 

In an effort to meet increasing demand for nursery places, the proposals include plans to use some of the Children Centre spaces to create new childcare places.

Plans also include increased support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.  

Greenwich council worked with its three main providers, Quaggy Development Trust, HomeStart Greenwich and Better/GLL, to shape these proposals.

Before any decisions are made, the council is calling on residents to share their views on how changes may affect them and their families via the consultation.

The consultation will run for seven weeks and feedback will be analysed by officers to shape final proposals to be laid before Cabinet for decision.

There are no current proposed changes to the following centres: Quaggy, Storkway, Brookhill and Waterways Family Hubs, Abbey Wood, Eglington, Eltham, Mulberry Park, Slade and Vista Field Children’s Centres.

The consultation can be found here: https://greenwichchildrencentres.commonplace.is/

(Picture: Greenwich council)