Memorandum submitted by Whipton & Beacon Heath Children's Centre parent forum in Exeter

 

How models of Children's Centres have developed as the programme spreads from the most deprived neighbourhoods;

· good range of groups for age range 0-5, friendly staff, further support if needed, helpful parenting tips

· used to be big budget when only a few c.centres, now cut backs in services as more & more centres open, Good that available everywhere but weveseen reduction in services

· rolling out to all areas, new areas getting childrens centres benefit from the partnership working. Level of funding for local programmes worked really well, but now is a very diluted service to spread th funding. Good pilots developing

· As a parent I feel the centres have developed really well, they have a wide range of activities for children & parents which is really good

· All services were accessible to start due to funding, in time cuts have been made - service privision stilll good but more targeted - less universal groups tho strill a good programme

· Too often targets from central government change each year, so focus has to change - cant have continuity

 

The range and effectiveness of services provided by Children's Centres;

· increasingly becoming targeted services and the criteria doesn't necessarily mean those in need are served

· need to work hard to keep universal services - with changes in social care there is more pressure on CC to run targeted services, families not on benefits but on low income seem to miss out - don't qualify for some services though still have a need

· the range of services they provide are really good as there is something for everyone & I feel they are really effective

· effectiveness - quality of group has diluted i.e feedback from staff, different staffing, not so indepth or useful and time changes can be difficult

 

Funding, sustainability and value for money;

· good value for money, funding seem to be spent well

· decreasing funding all the time & an expectation atht the same services will be provided. High management costs with running CC - could be better spent directly on services

· levels of funding change each year, but seem to take away from where needed the most

· very good value for money

Staffing, governance, management and strategic planning;

· good amnagement & staffing etc

· staff well qualified

· feel targets are always changing so difficult to plan long term

· keep parents/children voice at the heart of the decision making. Local parents - local services for local community

· there is a lot of planning that goes into the way the childrens centres are run & managed to allow the users to be confident in what the centres do

· staffing limited but still able to provide good program on limited funding & staff

How well Children's Centres work with other partners and services, especially schools and health services;

· good links with school

· health visitors could work better with CC, struggle to get health to come to meetings etc

· need link with midwives

· Health link ok - good clinics in centre

· Link with schiools - feel onoly some schools linked - not all the ones parents go to

· Health is very stretched and short staffed, this adds more pressure to CC staff for service delivery - health are first contact with families esp. hard to reach

· They all work together very well, it is just like one big team

· Outreach worker in centre doing brilliantle limking with local pre schools

· Working with health in Service development groups/parntership board

 

Whether services are being accessed by those most in need and how effective they are for the most vulnerable.

· All services under one umbrella, makes it great easy to access support for families in need

· Don't know

· Easily acessible for able parents and those who have come along with friends or from clinic - for vulnerable families - hard to know about them unless through Health referals

· Service accessed by a lot of families in need anfd the centres are well equipped to provide care for the most vulnerable and in need families

October 2009