Agenda item

Note: the YouTube broadcast started at the beginning of this item.

The Chair noted that due to the attendance of young people, items 1-5 had not been broadcast on YouTube.

It was reiterated that this was a meeting held in public, not a public meeting and so there were no speaking rights for members of the public.

Officers provided an update on the delivery of the Family Hub Delivery Model and Early Years Nurseries.

On Family Hubs:

The Family Hub strategy had been presented to and ratified at Cabinet in September 2023.

A second Family Hub in Hayes had been open in January 2024. The two hubs (Uxbridge and Hayes) delivered services to young people aged 0-19, and up to 25 for those with SEND.

Highlights included a visit by Dame Andrea Leadsom, who spearheaded the early years healthy development review, in February and the publication of the "Start for Life" offer on the Council website.

A strategy to advertise the family hub services had been developed, including a family hub graphic on all communications and a short film showcasing the services.

The 0-19 service directory was on track to be published in January 2025.

The Stronger Families Partnership work was highlighted, including a partnership day at Hayes Working Men's Club attended by 130 delegates from both statutory and voluntary community sectors.

An outcomes framework was being developed to track and monitor the services more closely.

On Early Years Nurseries:

The Council was looking to source an alternative provider to maintain childcare on the sites, rather than delivering the services directly.

Surveys of the sites had been conducted and offers from three distinct providers had been received.

Negotiations were ongoing with one preferred provider, with a recommendation expected at Cabinet in December 2024.

Members inquired about how to reach new families and promote the services. Officers noted that they would be happy to engage in any community events. Officers were also able to distribute flyers. Officers were working with community leaders, Heathrow hotels and William Byrd Primary School to identify gaps in engagement.

Members further noted it was good to hear that parents were seeking support from other parents.

Members noted that it was great to see the progress made by the Hubs and asked about the data on repeat attendances. It was clarified that families were counted rather than unique individuals and so multiple people would count as one attendance. There may be repeat attendances for programs such as midwifery.

Members raised concerns about the suitability of family hubs for teenagers and older children. It was acknowledged that it was a challenge to provide an all-age space. Uxbridge Hub was zoned into different spaces for difference ages. Efforts were being made to make the spaces multi-purpose and welcoming for all age groups. Officers constantly reviewed what was offered. If hubs were not all-age, it would likely be that buildings would end up only used for a portion of the day. All-age spaces would maximise Council assets.

Members further raised concerns about accessibility from all parts of the borough. Officers acknowledged this, and highlighted Cherry Lane children’s centre and Pinkwell children’s centre. Officers had been working with the Resident’s Association in Heathrow Villages to hear from them. Some services were delivered directly located in the hotels and William Byrd Primary School.

Members noted that they had been impressed by the early expectations and asked if the Offer had lived up to these expectations. Officers noted that they believed it did. The provision delivered to date had been successful, in particular the start to life offer. Partnership working had also been effective. It was important that there were hubs delivering services with community, health and commissioned partners. One of the most powerful ways a parent can receive help is from other parents and this had been successful. It was noted that the strategy was to deliver six hubs. Two were up and running, and a third was in production.

Members asked about the metrics of success. It was explained that attendance data, registrations, and achievements of families attending targeted courses were currently used as metrics, with efforts to develop a broader outcomes framework. There was currently no national framework for measuring success, but officers were working with colleagues in health and as part of the London Region Network to look at the potential for an outcomes framework.

It was noted that comments to Cabinet would be delegated.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report