Greater focus on baby support for Central Bedfordshire children's centres

The move follows a 12-week public consultation on four options put forward by the council, and will come into effect from April next year.

As well as a strong focus on support for families with a child under one year old, councillors also voted to ensure universal provision for families with children aged up to five years old continues.

Up until a baby’s first birthday families will be offered breast feeding, weaning and general health advice as well as a place on a parenting course. The revamped service also pledges to signpost parents to other community groups and services.

For children up to five, the universal service will include health visitor clinics, two-year-old checks, speech and language drop-in sessions as well as advice on diet and oral hygiene.

Cllr Mark Versallion, the council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “It is vital that we ensure the provision offered by our children’s centres meets the needs of the Central Bedfordshire community, including the most vulnerable children and families.

“Whilst the new model continues to offer a complete package of services to children up to five years old, there will be a greater emphasis on the critical first year when parents, especially those who are new to parenting, need the most support.”

Among the 10 options originally under consideration was one to close all centres, according to a leaked report in April. But this was removed from the final set of options put to the public a month later, all of which were committed to keeping the centres open.