Issue - items at meetings - KD 4045 Redefining Enfield Children's Centres

Issue - meetings

KD 4045 Redefining Enfield Children's Centres

Meeting: 11/03/2015 - Cabinet (Item 8)

8 Reviewing and Revising Enfield's Children's Centres pdf icon PDF 406 KB

A report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services is attached. This outlines the work being undertaken to review and develop how Children’s Centre services are delivered in Enfield. (Key decision – reference number 4045)

(Report No.180)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection) introduced the report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Services (No.180) outlining the work being undertaken to review and develop how Children’s Centre services are delivered in Enfield, and to ensure their Ofsted inspection readiness.

 

NOTED

 

1.               That Children’s Centres were a key strand in the Council’s Early Intervention strategy and were central to the Council’s commitment to reduce inequality and improve the life chances of children and young people, as set out in the report.

 

2.               The requirements of the new Ofsted framework as detailed in the report.

 

3.               That the resources available to the Council were limited and it was important to re-focus resources to the areas of greatest need and to narrow the achievement gap of those children who were in poverty and those who were not.

 

4.               Members’ attention was drawn to the recommendations set out in section 2 of the report. Subject to approval of the proposed changes, implementation of the 5 Hub Model would start from April 2015 to be fully implemented by September 2015.

 

5.               That the proposals would lead to greater efficiency and the provision of an integrated service across the Borough as a whole.

 

6.               Councillor Savva expressed his support of the proposals and the significant work that was being undertaken for the benefit of Enfield residents.

 

7.               Councillor Orhan highlighted the need for sufficient Government resources to enable the Council to provide essential services for the protection and support of children and young people in the Borough.

 

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the alternative options which had been considered as set out in full in section 4 of the report.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet

 

1.               Agreed retention of 22 sites managed through 5 hubs and spoke model that would unify and simplify management and administration arrangements and foster closer close-boundary working.

 

2.               Agreed to cease the existing operational agreements with all of the Council’s current centres and renegotiate new Service Level Agreements/Contracts with 5 key hubs.

 

3.               Agreed to re-organise the current staffing arrangements to bring together integrated teams across education, health and social services to make the best use of limited resources and the highly skilled workforce.

 

4.               Agreed to develop a unified service delivery model, available to all families regardless of where they live in Enfield, that targets and prioritises those families most at need but still offers services to the whole community.

 

5.               Agreed to ensure that financial resources were allocated according to population and deprivation.

 

6.               Noted that by approving the above changes, implementation of the 5 Hub Model recommended within the report, would start from April 2015 to be fully implemented by September 2015.

 

7.               Noted the implications for staffing as set out in section 12 of the report.

 

Reason: To ensure services were cost effective, high quality and fit for purpose for families and children in the area. To design a cohesive offer across the local authority that targets the most needy but still  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8