In February, civil servants warned this could cause severe disruption tothe children's centre programme (Children Now, 22-28 February).
The Public and Commercial Services' Union is in the middle ofnegotiations with the Department for Education and Skills and has metchildren's minister Beverley Hughes. It warned that the move could meana loss of expertise. "If those skills are lost that's a risk to theprogramme," said Kathy Prendiville, who represents DfES staff for theunion.
The union said it would affect about 65 staff in the nine regionalgovernment offices, who have helped local authorities establish morethan 860 children's centres so far. The Department for Education andSkills said the change was necessary because the civil service did nothave the right skills to bring about rapid change. It has put the workout to tender and hopes to have a partner on board by October.
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