BCP Council wants to hear from children, young people and their families on the future of local hubs and early help services.
The proposed changes aim to save £1.1 million to help balance the council’s budget in 2024/25 as part of a wider budget consultation currently taking place.
BCP says the survey is not about reducing facilities but will be looking at ways to operate the hubs more efficiently.
Hub 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.
Throughout the consultation period, events will be held where residents can meet officers and ask questions about the proposals:
- 19 February 2024: 9:30-11:30am at Poole Old Town Family Hub(External link), Green Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1QB.
- 20 February 2024: 10am-12 at Boscombe Family Hub(External link), 22 Ashley Close, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4PE.
- 21 February 2024: 12-2pm at Rossmore Family Hub(External link), Herbert Avenue, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4HR.
- 22 February 2024: 11:30am-1:30pm at Somerford Family Hub(External link), Draper Road, Somerford, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3AS.
- 23 February 2024: 10am-12 at Turlin Moor Family Hub(External link), Turlin Road, Turlin Moor, Poole, Dorset, BH16 5AH.
- 26 February 2024: 1-3pm at Townsend Family Hub(External link), Jewell Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 0LT.
- 28 February 2024: 1-3pm at Queen’s Park Family Hub(External link), East Way, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9PU.
You can read the information document here and share your views on the proposals using the online survey
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.
The consultation will close at midnight on 10 March 2024.