60,000 families to lose Children's Centres

The scale of cuts & closures to Sure Start Children Centres has highlighted 250 at risk of closing, 2,000 cutting back services, & 1,000 issuing ‘risk of redundancy notices' to staff. Findings of a survey of Sure Start Centre Managers across England, by 4Children & Daycare Trust, provides nationwide data on the impact of cuts. The feedback prompted charities to warn that closing Children's Centres risks crucial support for families at a time of increased financial hardship, unemployment, & social stress - this when there is growing consensus that giving children positive support in their early years helps tackle intergenerational disadvantage & reduces the cost of social 'failure'.

The charities are calling on Local Authorities to do more to prioritise funding for Sure Start Children's Centres - whose overall budget was protected in cash terms in Government's Spending Review, but that money was no longer ring-fenced! The survey suggests over the next 12 months:

* 250 (7%) will close or are expected to close, affecting an estimated 60,000 families
* 2,000 (56%) will provide a reduced service
* 3,100 (86%) will have a decreased budget
* Staff at 1,000 (28%) issued with ‘at risk of redundancy' notices

Staffordshire County Council is currently consulting on critical changes, so if this is a service you or your family uses, or is likely to use, or if you are interested in the 'modernisation' of local services, go along to one of the informational sessions or respond to the public consultation document online:

Children's Centre Consultation meetings in our localities:
Cannock Chase Childrens Centre     Monday 30th January 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Charnwood Childrens Centre     Tuesday 31st Jan 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Landywood Childrens Centre     Wednesday 1st February 5.30  to 6.30 p.m.
Hednesford (at Hednesford Nursery)     Monday 6th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Brewood Library     Tuesday 7th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Boney Hay Childrens Centre     Tuesday 7th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Willows Childrens Centre     Friday 10th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m
Wombourne Library     Monday 13th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m
Stafford Childrens Centre     Monday 13th Feb 10.00 to 11.00 a.m.
Featherstone Childrens Centre     Thursday 16th Feb  9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Cannock Chase Childrens Centre     Thursday 16th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Stafford (at Holmcroft Comm. Centre)     Thursday 16th Feb 11.00 to 12.00 p.m.