URL: https://democracy.plymouth.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4529

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Mary Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the report and highlighted the following:   a)     Family Hubs were a cross-council service working hand-in-hand with Children’s Services and wellbeing hubs to support family and children up to 19 or 25 with SEND;   b)    The Council wanted to continue to develop this network to provide wider services for children and young people.   Emma Crowther (Service Director Integrated Commissioning) added:   c)     The paper proposed awarding new contracts to current family hub providers; Action for Children, Barnardos and Lark Children’s Centre to enable them to continue to work with families into 2025 and beyond;   d)    The continued aim was to cooperate with these partners, as well as others, to design and embed practicalities of delivering early help and targeted support services;   e)     Support needed to extend beyond physical buildings into communities and of equal importance was the right person to work with the right family.   Jemima Laing (Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, Culture and Communications) added:   f)      Family Hubs were warm and welcoming spaces and communicating their message was a prime initiative for the Council. Vital early work with families facilitated by these networks prevented future acute concerns.   g)     Overcoming child poverty contract was additionally an important part of the service, which aimed to support those in need and would extend the reach of family hubs.    In response to questions, it was explained:   h)    To further encourage people to attend, the Council was extending networks and enhancing data related to needs. Community Connections were linking areas of the City. the Council was able to achieve this by extending warm and welcoming and spaces;   i)      Joint work had taken place with Midwifes from Derriford Hospital and Livewell to early identify homes with speech and language concerns, a grant had been provided and there was a focus on this within the Family hubs. This was one of six priorities with Children’s services and an action plan was being devised.   Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) added:   j)      There were two substantial tranches of money dedicated to the award, one for 25/26 and one for 26/27.   k)     Family work was critical for building trust within Local Government Services.   Cabinet agreed:   1.     Three new Family Hub contracts are awarded to Action for Children, Barnardo’s and Lark for a period of 2 years from 1st April 2025, with the option to extend by a further year, until 31st March 2028. These would replace the current Emerging Family Hub contracts. The total contract value for 2025/26 was confirmed as £2,443,693 and indicative contract value for 2026/27 was confirmed as £2,199,323.75.      

Date of Decision: December 9, 2024