Proposed shake-up of North East Lincolnshire children's centres
Friday, January 9, 2015
Half of North East Lincolnshire’s children’s centres could be 'de-designated' under proposals being considered by the council.
North East Lincolnshire Council has put out plans for consultation to change the structure of its children’s centres as part of a number of cost-saving measures.
The council is proposing to merge its ten children’s centres into five cluster areas. Each cluster will have one designated children’s centre.
Under the plans, the following five children’s centres would be de-designated and turned into outreach venues - Central, Queensway, Scartho, Broadway and Highgate.
Other measures being considered by the council include extending the reach of its centres to children from birth to 14, opening centres for longer and offering a broader range of services.
The consultation, which was launched this week, runs until 13 February.
Councillor Ros James, portfolio holder for children’s services, said, ‘We are proud of the success of our children’s centres and know the important part they play in delivering outstanding early childhood services. We have listened to our families who tell us that children’s centres are an important part of their community but that they wish they could continue to use children’s centres once their children reach five-years-old.
‘Transforming centres into family hubs and broadening the age range will allow us to offer on-going services after children turn five. We want as many children’s centre users and parents to take part in this consultation.’
In 2011, North East Lincolnshire Council committed to keeping open all of its then 14 children’s centres despite needing to save a total of £15m by the following year.
