West Sussex County Council holding online consultation into Early Help service

The consultation sessions take place on 1st April

West Sussex County Council is proposing a series of changes to the Early Help service, and will launch a public consultation this week. 

The online event to discuss changes will occur this Thursday 1st April between 12pm-2pm. 

Proposed changes to the service include: 

• Maintain Early Help services from 11 of our 43 Children & Family centre buildings; at least one centre in each district and borough of West Sussex

• Increase the support and focused response to vulnerable children.

• Ensure families have access to the most appropriate support, including closer working with schools.

• Protect a full-time drop-in service for young people in each district and borough by merging our 12 Find It Out (youth) Centres with our 11 Children and Family Centres.

• Cease delivering group work.

The proposed changes will deliver savings already identified in the council's financial plan.

The council are already in discussions with health and other organisations who operate what are called ‘universal services’ from Children & Family Centres, such as maternity and parent groups, to consider the impact of the proposals. In some cases, partner organisations might be able to continue to work from the buildings. They'll review partner feedback and any ideas for alternative arrangements of these services as part of the proposed consultation.

The 10-week consultation, which started on 8 March 2021. will have results at the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 30 June 2021 and will also be shared on their website.

 A decision is then due later in July 2021.

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