12 November 2017
Somerset County are planning changes to the way support is provided to families. More support would be offered through community venues, in people’s homes and online rather than in dedicated buildings, and there would be a move from the current arrangement of 24 Sure Start Children’s Centres to a network of 8 Family Centres serving the whole county and located in the areas of highest need. In Frome this would result in the loss of the Bridge Children's Centre, while the Key Centre would continue providing family support services. We note that since July 2016 the Bridge Centre has not in fact been providing family support services as previously.
Yet again services to support the most vulnerable in our communities are under threat. The proposed new arrangements are presented as more effective, more accessible and "get more from the money we have." We would question what evidence there is that the new approach would benefit those who need these services. Once buildings are lost the likelihood of ever being replaced is extremely remote. Furthermore, increasing staff travelling time to make more home visits, purely because dedicated venues are not available, is a very inefficient approach.
Please make your views known and have your say. A consultation is running until 1 December. Details of the proposals and a questionnaire to complete can be found online: www.somerset.gov.uk/familysupportandchildrenscentres and in children’s centres. Drop-in sessions have been organised for people to find out more and give their views. Originally, Frome was not offered a a drop-in consultation day, but under pressure from Green Councillors John Clarke and Martin Dimery, Frome is to be included: details will be made available soon.
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