Family centre services *Update*

A seven-week consultation into family centre services has led to a number of proposed changes for how the service could run in the future. Several of the comments, concerns and suggestions made will help form part of a detailed new service plan for the future, including:

• Increased activities spread across as many of the eight centres as possible and at times that are better fit around parents (for example, around school drop-offs);
• Retaining local centres that are easy to access for local communities and minimise the impact of travel and parking challenges
• Retain valued activities including ‘baby massage’, the Bibs and Bobs offer and more regular ‘stay and play’ related activities as well as ensuring an adequate range of activities are age appropriate as well as supporting people with neurodiverse needs;
• Review the best approach to deliver health-related activities such as ‘group sessions’ and across more centres;
• Develop an extensive programme of marketing
• Consider how to support local community groups to make use of centres as well as exploring other activities such as ‘fun days’, including Christmas and summer holidays, with fundraising and donations suggested

The proposed new family centre 'model' will retain eight centres including three as core centres (Blenheim, Cambridge Road and Friars) that would be open from 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, as opposed to the current 9am to 4pm. The other five centres will have varied opening times based on local needs and with dedicated times best suited for the local community.

If this is approved by the Council, a staff consultation will be undertaken with a view to starting with the new service in the summer or early autumn of 2024. A draft report published to be considered by people scrutiny committee later this month and cabinet at the start of March details how nearly 400 response were received online, via hard copy and from in-person events.

A variety of comments made throughout the consultation highlighted the importance of the service and views on its future, such as:

• “The centres are a lifeline for so many families, friendships have been made, support received, and you are always made to feel welcome.”
• “The family centres and their staff have played such a vital role in supporting me as a first time mum.”
• “I still think there are too many venues. I think four main hubs throughout Southend would be enough.”
• "Timings of sessions needs to be looked at as many of the offers happen at times where some parents can't attend such as in the morning if their children use that time for their sleep."