Agenda item

To consider a report on a new service to replace children's centres offering support for families 0-19 (25 with SEND), before it is presented to Cabinet on 13 June 2023.

The committee considered a report on a new service to replace children's centres offering support for families 0-19 (25 with SEND), before it is presented to Cabinet on 13 June 2023. Gary Binstead, Head of Commissioning – Families and Children summarised the report.

It was stated that Cabinet would be asked to accept the following proposals:

1. Approve the commissioning of family hubs across Wiltshire from April 1st,
2024.
2. Approve that all services are commissioned externally through an open
procurement, with a 5-year contract awarded to the successful provider,
with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years.
3. Approve the Pathfinder project in Westbury and Warminster transferring
into the new contract when it commences on 1st April 2024.
4. To delegate authority to approve and award a new contract, and take all
necessary steps associated to the Corporate Director Resources and
Deputy Chief Executive, and Corporate Director of People in consultation
with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services,
Education and Skills

The Government had a manifesto pledge to champion family hubs, that offer
support for families with children aged 0-19 (up to 25 with SEND). Six South West Local Authorities were awarded grant funding, but Wiltshire had not been selected for any additional funding to date. It was emphasised that a high level of consultation and detail was applied to the bid and thus were disappointed in this outcome.

However, Wiltshire Council had taken the decision to develop family hubs,
redesigning existing services to improve access to Family Help and improve
outcomes for children and families across the county. Wiltshire family hubs were intended to be operational from April 2024.

During debate, Cllr Iain Blair-Pilling expressed his delight as Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Libraries, FM and Operational Assets that Libraries and Leisure centres were being utilised to deliver the initiative.

Further to this, recognition was given by the committee to the library and leisure staff and clarification was given on upskilling staff and ensuring they are supported through training.

The Committee were also assured that enough resources were being focused on deprived areas and clarification was given as to why there had been a reduction in hospital visits, including what the key metrics are with regards to family hubs.

The following priorities of the model were also explained:

·       Reducing the number of people needing to attend hospital.

·       Increase in number of early support assessments.

·       Lowering accidents and missed appointments.

It was clarified that the goals could be endless but that a focus was being made on these priorities.

The committee expressed its desire to receive a briefing after tendering, and a tentative date was set for the beginning of 2024.

Resolved:

To note the report

To receive a pre-meeting briefing presentation on the contract / proposed service, ideally jointly presented by the provider(s) + agenda item with details of the service (update on the hubs, recruitment of Navigators and Family Hub practitioners, etc.) including more information on the Westbury and Warminster pilot project (including measuring of success / efficiency as evaluated by IPC, Oxford Brookes University), probably at the January 2024 meeting.