Published on Tuesday 06 February 2024
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) is seeking the views of children, young people and their families on the future of family hub and early help services.
The council operates several dedicated early help services such as children centres, some of which have become known as family hubs, youth services and targeted family support services.
The council want to hear views on the proposals that could help transform these services to be more effective and efficient, whilst reducing the council’s budget deficit by £1.1 million.
Early help covers a wide range of services that provide advice, information, and support, as soon as possible, to help with challenges that may impact children, young people and their families from time to time.
These services are provided by a wide range of people such as midwives, health visitors, other health providers, nurseries, schools, youth workers and voluntary and community groups.
Cllr Richard Burton, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People said,
“Children and young people are at the heart of this work; we want to deliver services that best meet their needs.
"This consultation is about enabling families to only have to tell their story once to access the help and support that they need.
"By changing the structure of service, we can deliver what children, young people and their families need in a more timely and cost-effective way.”
To help councils to continue to deliver services that meet rising demand, while dealing with financial pressures, a Family Hub Transformation Grant has been made available to BCP Council by central government.
This additional funding is enabling increased partnership working across the family hub network to help to create ‘one stop shops’ for families providing community-based advice and support services in a timely way. The right support provided at the earliest opportunity can make all the difference.
Family hub and early help transformation is part of the Children’s Services Building Stronger Foundations project which is changing how services are delivered to improve outcomes for children and young people.
The views of children, young people, families and professionals is essential in the development of family hub services.
Have your say at: Family Hubs and Early Help Service Redesign Consultation | Have Your Say Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
Find out more by chatting to our friendly staff at a family hub drop-in session:
- Monday 19 February - 9:30 to11:30am
Old Town Family Hub, Green Road, Poole BH15 1QB
- Tuesday 20 February - 10am to 12pm
Boscombe Family Hub, 22 Ashley Close, Bournemouth BH1 4PE
- Wednesday 21 February – 12 to 2pm
Rossmore Family Hub, Herbert Avenue, Poole BH12 4HR
- Thursday 22 February - 11:30am to 1:30pm
Somerford Family Hub, Draper Road, Christchurch BH23 3AS
- Friday 23 February - 10am to 12pm
Turlin Moor Family Hub, Turlin Road, Turlin Moor BH16 5AH
- Monday 26 February - 1 to 3pm
Townsend Family Hub, Jewell Rd, Bournemouth BH8 0LT
- Wednesday 28 February - 1 to 3pm
Queens Park Family Hub, East Way, Bournemouth BH8 9PU
The consultation closes on 10 March 2024.