To receive a report detailing the current operating arrangements for the Children’s Centres across Central Bedfordshire alongside an update on performance management.

The Head of Commissioning for Children’s Services delivered a report which set out historic performance, how the service was measured against the Ofsted framework, the early years profile, school readiness and the level of children achieving the required standard of literacy and numeracy. The new model would relocate sites to specified localities with a broader agenda aligned with social care and health and education.

In light of the report Members discussed the following in summary: -

·         The need for Children’s Centres to align with the Children and Young People’s Plan, specifically in relation to the first 1000 days of a child’s life.

·         That the health visitor agenda and the work of midwives supported the early days of a child’s life, many of whom worked directly out of the children’s centres. It was noted that the healthy child agenda was currently undergoing transition with the work of health visitors being far more clinic based in the future.

·         The methods of supporting young children and identifying any emerging educational needs.

·         A need for more clarity on the work supporting 5-year olds in order to support parents and carers make appropriate choices for their children.

·         The need to ensure that the procurement process was not compromised in any way.

·         A need for a consistent delivery of service and whether buildings needed to be adapted to meet the future needs of the service.

·         The importance of a holistic approach, including the need to liaise with health colleagues and partners in order to meet the needs of children accessing the service.

(Cllr Gurney left the meeting at 11.47am)

(Co-optee David Morton left the meeting at 12.05pm which resulted in the Committee being inquorate. Members and the Director agreed to proceed with the remainder of the meeting and that all comments made by the Committee would be taken into account)

NOTED the report and the positive work of children’s centres to date and;

RECOMMENDED:-

1.    That a future report be delivered to the Committee following the conclusion of the procurement process.

2.    That a member briefing be delivered focussing on the work of children’s centres in relation to journey of the child from pre-birth to 5 years.