Axing Mid Sussex children and family centres ‘callous and unnecessary’

West Sussex County Council is facing huge budget pressures and a redesign of early help services would help it save £1.95milllion.

It is proposing to close 32 of 43 children and family centres, while all 12 Find It Out youth advice facilities would shut as well.

The Tory-led county council, which has been calling for extra central government funding to avoid making cuts, said its priority for early help services is to work with the most vulnerable children and families.

But a countywide petition started by Labour councillors has been signed by 2,600 people already.

Elaine Bolton, chair of Mid Sussex Labour Party, said: “These callous and unnecessary cuts will hit Mid Sussex disproportionately, potentially leaving both Burgess Hill and East Grinstead without any provision at all.

“Children and family centres improve outcomes for young children and their families, reduce inequalities between families in greatest need and improve parenting skills, child and family health and life chances. They must be protected especially now when Covid poses so many physical, mental health and social isolation issues for so many vulnerable families.”

A ten-week consultation is expected to be launched in March, with a staff consultation following in August.

The changes could mean bad news for some of the staff, with a number of jobs on the line. The report to the scrutiny committee said 25 posts had already been dropped by not replacing staff as they left – but as many as 50 more could go. The aim is to keep this to a minimum by relocating people to new roles.

The centres in Mid Sussex under threat are two in East Grinstead, Hurstpierpoint as well as The Gattons and Sidney West in Burgess Hill.

Dan Sartin, branch secretary of UNISON West Sussex that represents the staff whose livelihoods are at risk, said, “This is an unacceptable loss of a brilliant service. Staff have been superb and gone the extra mile during Covid-19, so this will feel like a kick in the teeth. WSCC must change its mind.

“It was not that long ago the former Leader of the council lauded the service and was pleased to take the bouquets which came with positive, national recognition for the work Early Help staff did.

“Such a short time later we are expected to believe that the service is not meeting its aims after all and is safe to cut back to a shell of its former self. I don’t think that will wash with the public, still less the people who are grateful to use its services every day.”

He added: “The county council really must be doing more to lobby its local Tory MPs. What is the point of having this representation at Westminster if it cannot save the county’s jewels in the crown from being smashed?

“The government has shown over the past nine months it can find whatever money it wants, yet the best of local government is thrown under a bus, time and time again. We need the council leader to exercise some real leverage here.

“Meanwhile the council should put a stop on all the cuts, and instead use reserves and borrowing to plug the gap caused by central government under-funding.”

A report to the Children and Young People’s Services scrutiny committee, which is due to meet on Thursday (January 7), pointed out that ‘only a small part’ of the Early Help work actually took place in the centres, with most being carried out in people’s homes, schools or online.

Footfall at some of the centres was described as ‘very low’, with many of those most in need of help not attending.

Jacquie Russell, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Rather than expecting vulnerable children and families to come to us, our plan is for our staff to go to them.

“These proposals are about doing the best we can for vulnerable children and families. Any changes made will be subject to full and thorough consultation where I would encourage people to come and have their say.”

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