The decision to close more than half of children’s centres in Bucks has led to legal action being taken against Bucks County Council.
Buckinghamshire County Council announced in March plans to close 19 of the 35 centres it operates across the county.
One mother, who wished to remain private to protect her children’s privacy, approached Irwin Mitchell lawyer’s explaining the situation.
Lawyers have subsequently launched a judicial review challenging the legality of the plans.
James Betts, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family, said: “Children’s centres provide vital support to families in a range of situations and our client and her son have benefitted greatly from the access to the services at Millbrook.
“However, the planned closure of the site and the wider proposals to completely reshape services across the county will make it much harder for families with young children in the area to get the support they need.
“They and many other families have found the current situation hugely distressing and we believe the council should have done more when considering this issue. We are now determined to ensure that our client gets their voice heard on this emotive matter.”
Discussing the personal implications of the plans, the mum said: “The staff at Millbrook have had a huge impact on my life, helping me when times have been tough with a range of support. To lose that would be completely devastating.”
“They are like family, to the point where staff even attended hospital appointments and scans. Since my son was born we have also headed along to play sessions and courses on bonding with your baby. Put simply, I would be lost without them.”
Parents and local residents have set up a campaign group, Save Buckinghamshire’s Children’s Centres, to fight the plans.
Lead Campaigner Alka Dass said: ‘‘Our aim is to keep all 35 children’s centres open so that families have access to vital support and services that they need. These centres are a lifeline for many families and their children and closing all of these is not the solution. We need money invested into them so they can help more and more families – our voices need to be heard.”
“We have been campaigning in Bucks for the last two years, we want an end put to this and for the council to put a halt to this decision. There are many parents like this mother who do not want their centre to disappear and who rely on them heavily.”
Warren Whyte, Cabinet Member for Children Services said: “We are aware of legal proceedings relating to our plans to make changes to Children’s Centre services in Buckinghamshire. These proceedings focus on those early help services offered at the centres.
“We must ensure our early help offer supports the right families at the right time so that their needs do not escalate and they are given the support they require when they need it.
“It is vital that our new Family Support Service launches on September 2, as planned. Any delay to this will impede our ability to help the very people who need it most, and will have a serious financial impact on the service.
“The changes to services form part of a Partnership Early Help Strategy created after an extensive 10-week public consultation. Two thirds of respondents said we should proceed with this new strategy, which puts the needs of local children and families at its heart.
“Our strategy is not about buildings – it is about people. While 16 existing children’s centres will expand their offer, as new Family Centres, plans are being finalised to enable other existing children’s centre sites to be used by families in their community.
“We are unable to comment further on the legal proceedings at this time.”
This article originally appeared on Bucks Free Press
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