Ellie Ames 26 June 2024

Leicester urged not to close half its family hubs

Leicester urged not to close half its family hubs image
Image: PhotoJuli86 / Shutterstock.com

Parents have launched a petition calling on Leicester City Council to drop plans to close six of its 12 children, young people and families centres.

Save Our Children’s Centres said closing the family hubs would have a ‘profound, lasting, and hugely detrimental impact’ on the city.

Campaigners said the proposed cuts seemed ‘beyond foolhardy’ given the numbers of children living in poverty, unprecedented numbers of four and five-year-olds struggling at school with communication and toilet training, and over-stretched mental health services.

In 2018, 11 family hubs were closed in Leicester, and SOCC said the further cuts would mean most families no longer have a children’s centre within 15 minutes of their home, hitting poorer families hardest.

A council spokesperson said: ‘We are trying to preserve as many services for families in our communities as possible – these can be delivered in children’s centres, but they can also be based from other council and community-run buildings.

‘We want to maximise our dwindling resources on services instead of buildings where possible.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner