Council hands children's centres over to community groups

Over the past year, Oxfordshire County Council has been working with community groups to take on the running of dozens of its centres at risk of closure as a result of funding cuts and reorganisation.

Of the 44 children's centres run by the council up to last year, 27 have now been handed over to community organisations such as faith groups, local parents and not-for-profit enterprises to deliver family support and infant health services.

Earlier last year, the council rowed back on plans to close all of its children's centres following protests from parents and staff. 

It has instead converted eight of the 44 centres into "children and family centres" that target support at the most vulnerable parents.

In an attempt to retain early help services in communities, the council asked community groups interested in taking over the remaining 36 former children's centres to bid for a share of £1m in transitions funding.

Oxfordshire director of children's services Lucy Butler said the response has been "overwhelming".

"We asked community groups if they wanted to step into the universal space and use the building and the response was overwhelming," she said.

"It has been really empowering and interesting to see the different models identified. Services include stay and play, and health visiting - generally they are the same sorts of activities [the council did] but maybe [they run] one or two days a week."

The council has employed two community co-ordinators to support the groups.

Last week, it also announced it was reopening the transitions fund for bids from communities wanting to take on services.

The changes have come after the council reduced its £19m children's early intervention budget by £6m in 2017/18.

For more, see the Local Spotlight feature in the October edition of CYP Now, or click here.