The chair of the Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee at Bedford Borough Council has said an announcement that a new Family Hub is opening in Bedford must not be taken at face value.
Following the Government’s announcement that Family Hubs are now open in five areas across the East of England, including one more in Bedford, Cllr James Valentine, (Kempston West, Labour) says Bedfordians must keep the “announcement in perspective.”
While he adds that, “any positive developments for children and families are welcome,” Cllr Valentine highlights that Family Hubs are “a rebrand of Children’s Centres, pioneered as Sure Start” and used to be “a universal provision for every local authority.”
Earlier this week, the Department for Education (DfE) announced that five areas across the East of England are to receive a share of £300 million government investment to enhance Start for Life Services.
As part of the announcement, the Minister for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary Care, Dame Andrea Leadsom said it is “fantastic to see so many of these vital hubs within easy reach of families up and down the country.”
However, Cllr Valentine has said this is just a reopening of a service that had been cut under the Conservatives.
“Under the Coalition Government, children’s centres were not protected and many of them had to close,” he said.
“These cuts continued under subsequent Tory governments, causing irreparable harm to children’s and families’ welfare and effectively, turning the clock back.”
Locally, Bedford Borough Council has kept some children’s centres open. However, they were not able to tell us the net loss of family centres since 2010 at the time of publication.
Importance of early years
The Department of Education say their Family Hubs will centralise a range of vital services in one location and act as a ‘one stop shop’ for parents and children.
There will be trained staff providing practical help including early language and communication development, mental health support for parents and carers, and programmes for improving children’s home development.
They call the announcement a “milestone” as part of their new national Start for Life Little Moments Together campaign, which they say will provide “free resources and advice to help parents make the most of every moment.”
Cllr Valentine, however, says the Government haven’t acted quickly enough in providing the vital services offered by Family Hubs and criticised the limited reach they will have.
“The current Tories have belatedly accepted the importance of early years and announced a rebrand which they call ‘family hubs’.
“These are, in theory, oriented for children and young people up to age 19 rather than age 5, and up to 25 for young people with SEND,” he said.
He also believes the 0-19 range is even more restricted, “In Bedford Borough there will be just two facilities offering advice and help for young people up to age 19,” he added.
Universal offer
As part of the announcement, education secretary, Gillian Keegan called the hubs, “A universal offer to parents and families to provide them with extra support when they need it.”
But Cllr Valentine has called out the secretary’s claims.
“The Conservative offer isn’t universal. It only covers certain local authorities, which were forced to bid for funds on a competitive basis. That’s to say, only 75 local authorities out of over 300, and just five in the East of England.
“One might ask, what about the welfare of children and families who don’t live in the lucky areas?,” he said.
A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson confirmed Bedford Borough now has two Family Hubs. Pinecones Family Hub, on Slade Walk and Queens Park Family Hub on Marlborough Road.
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Both hubs are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am-4.30pm, with additional sessions outside of these hours and at weekends run by local services and charities.
These locations were chosen as data shows they are home to families and communities who may not easily access wider services and support.
A third family hub, with a town centre location, will be developed by 2025.
The spokesperson added, “Family Hubs aim to be the place for families in Bedford Borough to get the best start by enjoying activities, making new connections and learning together.
“They provide a welcoming space where families can build community connections and access practical, whole family support.
“Bedford Borough are lucky to be able to enhance the excellent provision for 0-5 year olds at the Children’s Centres by extending the support to children and young people aged 0-19 or 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
“In addition, Bedford Borough Family Hubs are working with many local organisations to increase access to services such as establishing Café Connect community café with the BPHA which opened in Queens Park late last year.
“For more information visit the Best Start Bedford website or contact the Family Information Service on 0800 023 2057 or by email familyhubs@bedford.gov.uk.”
