The future of Leicester’s 12 children, young people and families centres are under threat as the council seek to make savings of around £550,000 per year, says UNISON today (Monday).
The centres are a one stop shop service for families giving them access to a whole range of professionals including midwives, health visitors and family support workers. They also offer housing and benefits advice, preventing families requiring social care provision which costs more in the long run, says UNISON.
The union also says that these centres will be sorely missed, and once removed from communities, it is unlikely that they will ever be replicated or replaced.
UNISON Leicester City assistant branch secretary Karen Wharton said: “This isn’t the first time these centres have been targeted. In 2017, Leicester City Council was forced to cut the number of local children’s centres from 23 to 12. If these plans go ahead, we could be left with just 6 for the whole city.
“New mums, babies and vulnerable young people shouldn’t have to pay the price for the local government funding crisis. We’re urging all residents across Leicester to have their say on these proposals before Sunday and send a message to the council. We should be investing in them, not closing their doors for good.”
The consultation can be found here: Children, Young People and Families Centres – Leicester City Council – Citizen Space and closes on Sunday 9 June