Single family hub plan for Alcester as all county childrens centres face axe - The Redditch Standard

Single family hub plan for Alcester as all county childrens centres face axe

Redditch Editorial 21st Jun, 2017 Updated: 21st Jun, 2017   0

ALL the childrens centres in Stratford district face being axed and replaced by a single ‘family hub’ based in Alcester.

The proposal comes as Warwickshire county council tries to make £1.12million in savings from its childrens centres budget by April 2018.

The plan is being put out to an 11 week public consultation from Monday, June 26, closing on September 8.

The county currently has 39 childrens centres, eight of which are in Stratford district.




All these would go to be replaced by 12 family hubs, only one of which would be in the Stratford area, in Alcester.

Redundancies among staff are likely across the county.


The childrens centre in Studley currently has 569 children registered with it of whom 539 have visited the high street site in the last 12 months.

In Alcester 767 children are registered with the children’s centre all of whom have engaged with at least once in the past 12 months.

Councillor Jeff Morgan (Con, Bulkington & Whitestone) who’s portfolio covers childrens centres, said savings had to be made and that resources would be concentrated on the areas of greatest need.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but obviously you have to consult on a model,” he said.

“However the family hubs would be more comprehensive, more powerful and with multi agencies working out of them.”

He added he envisaged much of the work being done in family homes rather than at a specific location.

“We have got to get away from the idea of just supporting a building,” he said.

“Most families do not need the services the hubs will provide, instead we have to get on to the idea of targeting those areas that are most disadvantaged.”

The new hubs would cover four main areas – child care, parental support, financial well being and health matters in general.

He added the authority was also keen to look at partner agencies and community groups to help them maintain a service.

Councillor Clive Rickhards (Lib Dem, Studley) said: “It’s clear the Studley childrens centre is going to be re-assessed and is in some danger of closure.”

To take part in the consultation visit warwickshire.gov.uk/ask or write to Warwickshire Children’s Centres Consultation, Jenny Bevan, Saltisford Office Park, Ansell Way, Warwick, CV34 4UL or phone 01926 742350.

General consultation questions can be emailed to [email protected]

In addition three public events are planned to gauge people’s views on dates yet to be announced.

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