Policy and Politics
Out-of-school sector attacks funding cuts
The out-of-school sector has hit out at children's secretary Ed Balls after he detailed plans to cut £100m from after-school club funding, despite a Government target that all primary schools should offer extended services by September 2010 (News, 11 March).
Catherine French, one of the founders of the Out of School Alliance, a national organisation providing help and support for out-of-school clubs, said, 'The Government has set a deadline for all primary schools to be able to offer out-of-school provision by September. How will people be able to establish this provision if there is no funding available? The Government has brought out the stick but taken away the carrot.'
She added, 'When I started my out-of-school club I had only four children, but this grew to 25. Unless you have the funding behind you there is no way you can carry on until your numbers grow. No parents are going to send their children to a club they think might close three or four months down the line.'
Elaine Davies, director of the charity Sheffield Out of School Network, said, 'In some parts of Sheffield there is demand for out-of-school provision from some working parents, but not necessarily enough to make it sustainable. However, if out-of-school provision is available it gives parents who are unemployed the opportunity to train and take up employment.
'Cuts made to the funding schools receive to develop extended services will make it more difficult for them to meet the childcare element of the core offer and, particularly in the current economic climate, when existing out-of-school providers are struggling to maintain services, will mean families struggle to access reliable out-of-school childcare.'
A spokesperson from the DCSF said, 'The Government is continuing to provide around £450m for extended services over the coming year, including specific funding to help subsidise the most disadvantaged families. Further plans for longer term funding will be announced in due course.'
