Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Agrees that a public consultation be undertaken on the proposed Family Hub strategy and delivery model for Children and Young People aged 0 –19 (25 for SEND) and their families as set out in the report.

2.    Agrees that the public consultation should include a consultation on the future of the Council’s directly delivered childcare in the three early years nurseries as set out in the report.

3.    Agrees to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Adult Services & Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education to:

a.    Approve the commissioning of an independent provider to run both public consultations and,

b.    Review and approve the final consultation documents for publication.

4.    Agrees to receive a report back to consider the consultation responses and to make a decision on the strategy and delivery model for Family Hubs Services, informed by the findings of the consultation.

5.    Agrees to receive a report back to consider the consultation responses and to make a decision in relation to the delivery of childcare in the nurseries, informed by the findings of the consultation.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to undertake a public consultation on proposals for a new family hub strategy and delivery model as a way of providing services for children and young people aged 0-19, to 25 years with SEND, and their families. Cabinet also agreed public consultation on potential options for the future of the Council’s directly provided childcare in early years nurseries. The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education noted that this would involve engaging with parents, carers, partners, organisations and all residents on their views and both consultations would take place over a 12-week period.

In respect of the proposals for family hubs, the Cabinet Member stated that Hillingdon had been an early adopter of this model, with the Uxbridge Family Hub currently in operation, which sought to provide one front door to a range of early intervention and prevention services for residents, accessible and available at the right time to meet their needs. It was noted that as part of the proposed delivery model, there were six geographical locations that could provide such services, accessible within a 30-minute walk or a one-and-a-half mile driving distance.

With regard to the proposal to consult on options for the Council’s three directly run nurseries, the Cabinet Member noted that the Council had a statutory duty to ensure sufficiency of child care so far as reasonably practicable, but that it was not a statutory requirement for the Council to directly deliver child care. The Cabinet Member explained that the Council wished to consult primarily on three options, firstly to maintain the current nurseries and review their charging structure, secondly to put one, two or all nurseries on the market as a going concern and thirdly, to close the nurseries and repurpose the assets whilst retaining a small core team supporting families with children who had complex needs. The Cabinet Member stated that the three proposed options were not exhaustive and any other options that arose as part of the consultation would be considered.

The Leader of the Council noted the uncertainty that followed any proposals for change, but he welcomed the bold ambition to review how the Council can extend the support it provided to families and younger people, whilst also delivering it in an accessible way to local neighbourhoods. He encouraged residents to find out more about the Uxbridge Family Hub, to give a helpful insight about how services can be shaped better.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to not consult, but considered this would not be in the best interest of residents to ensure that the services the Council delivers meet the needs of its residents and communities as they change over time.