Agenda item

In developing the proposals relating to locality working and the proposed Family Wellbeing approach the Council had actively listened to the views of the community and the recommendations in the report reflected this.  The community clearly supported the principles of the 0-19 Family and Wellbeing approach and Officers would progress the implementation of this strategic approach, subject to Cabinet considering the information in the report. However, the community did not support the development of three 0-19 Family Wellbeing Centres, and the recommendations in this report take account of this feedback.

If the recommendations were to be approved how the change was implemented would be explored and reviewed within the Council and with the Head Teachers and Governing bodies.  The potential decisions and changes if approved were:

·       The three 0-19 Family Wellbeing centres not being developed, and early help being wholly delivered by the Children Centres

·       Seaforth not being relocated

·       A new funding methodology to be introduced in 2018 that considered:

·                     The reach (geography) that Family and Children Centre management were responsible for thereby impacting on their budgets

·                     All early help being within Children Centres

·                     A possible impact on the number and type of activities taking place

·                     A possible reduction in opening hours for a number of Family and Children Centres

·                     Management and staffing

·       Officers would work with Health colleagues to look at the potential development of Health and Wellbeing Centres

As the locality model developed and the 0-19 strategic approach was implemented the Council and partners would continue to explore future opportunities.  The Council was keen to work with partners to ensure that positive approaches were put in place that would help all members of our community to live happy and healthy lives, with positive approaches in place for those that needed that bit of extra support from time to time.

In the future and once current service delivery had been redesigned and the duplication of current Council activity removed, a more integrated model with NHS partners could be reconsidered; as through existing work it was clear that they had an ambition to explore the development of Health and Wellbeing Centres.

Prior to determining a course of action in respect of the development of Family Wellbeing Centres the Cabinet:-  

Decision Made:

That:

(1)

it be noted that Cabinet has taken account of the Vision Outcomes Framework at paragraph 1.6 of the report, in considering the recommendations in this report;

(2)

it be noted that Cabinet has considered and taken account of community feedback, risks, and equality reports when considering the options and recommendations;

(3)

the principles, as described at paragraph 3.6 to the report, for a 0-19 Family Wellbeing approach, as described at paragraph 6.3 to the report be approved;

(4)

all existing Children and Family centres remain open in their current locations; and that the offer is revised to take account of the extended age range (0-19 year olds).  The funding for the Family, Children centres and School Readiness will be contained within a new funding methodology identified in paragraph 7.4 to the report which will in many cases reduce budgets, which will in turn potentially impact on activity delivery and opening hours;

(5)

the Council explore its ambition to work with health and all partners to deliver Health and Wellbeing centres within the context of locality working;

(6)

the funding methodology be refreshed on a biennial basis (every two years), using updated information;

(7)

the management oversight of all Family and Children centres sitting within Council control be approved;

(8)

the Council Officers continue to engage with schools on the implementation of the approved change;

(9)

it be noted that the Health and Wellbeing Executive Group, with Officers,  will consider opportunities for  the formation of Health and Well Being Centres in Sefton that would potentially see the community able to access Health and Council services in shared locations;

(10)

the schedule of childcare subsidy removal, and the further consultation with Head Teachers and governors as shown at paragraph 6.9 to the report be approved;

(11)

the commencement of all appropriate activity as detailed, including for example, consultation with Head Teachers, governors, employees and engagement with partners and contractual changes be approved and that subject to discussions the new arrangements are to be introduced by the end of July 2018;

(12)

it be noted that officers will comply with agreed HR policies, with particular attention to staffing, equalities and procedures including relevant consultation with Trade Unions and reports to the Cabinet Member - Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services; and that Officers may be permitted to implement change as required after appropriate procedures;

(13)

authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools and Safeguarding in consultation with the Director for Social Care and Health, for future decisions relating to the implementation of this recommended change and biennial changes to the methodology; and

(14)

in connection with the alternative model suggested by the Freshfield Centre and referred to in (4) (C) above the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools and Safeguarding be authorised to approve any variation to the distribution of funding.