It appears that misinformation is being promoted about what Medway Council are currently doing with Early Help services across the towns. I have not voted to close the 19 Surestart centres and any suggestion that I have is factually wrong.
Medway council cabinet agreed to hold a consultation on the transformation of Early Help Services across Medway, this includes children centres, which are mainly based within schools. Medway Council have put forward 3 options on which they will consult with parents, carers, Medway residents, schools, adult education, health professionals and the clinical commissioning group, Medway Hospital, childcare providers, and voluntary sectors agencies across Medway on the delivery of Early Help services, which also includes health provision and social care interventions. No decision has been made to close children centres.
Government has changed the way councils must use early years spend, requiring local authorities to increase the amount passed to schools and nurseries from 85% to a minimum of 93%. Therefore, it is right that Medway council look forward to assessing and consult on how to make sure that the early intervention services delivered by Medway council are reaching the most disadvantaged and vulnerable families, based on outcomes and need.
Currently Medway council and health providers across Medway deliver services in children centres, at home, and in other voluntary and private sector settings. I want to see better access to early help services for families, particularly across the Peninsula and in Halling where access to these services are currently lacking.
From my own experience over the last 10 years working with children and families across Medway, Kent and London it is right that councils assess service delivery, challenge outcomes and make sure that the right systems are in place to help children and families in need. Ultimately ensuring early help services truly reach the children and families that need it and make a difference.
The Children Society, which I have worked with over the past 2 years, published a report on how to help children’s centres reach disadvantaged families in this way. Additionally, the cross party All Parliamentary Group for Children’s centres have reported key findings on where services should be modified to make sure they are co-ordinated and are reaching vulnerable families.
This consultation is an opportunity to put forward your views about the delivery of Early Help services across Medway. I also will be making representation based on my own experiences and opinion during the consultation period.
Currently vulnerable families are offered funded pre-school places for 2 year olds, and universally families received 15 hours of funded pre-school places for 3 year olds, with this increasing to 30 hours per week for working families in September. These services are delivered in schools, the voluntary and the private sector, with the increased level of funding from councils being provided for the delivery of these services.
Ultimately, I will be asking questions, listening to residents and professionals and seeking that any decision made after the consultation is focused at achieving the best solutions for the right outcomes for children and families. This is what should be at the forefront of all Medway resident’s minds above all else.
It is a great shame that misinformation has been promoted to cause distress to families across Medway.