Voluntary organisations win bids to run children's centres

Action for Children has been awarded contracts to run 13 of the 15 clusters.

4Children will run seven children’s centres altogether: four centres in partnership with schools in Fareham and three centres with Children’s Links in Eastleigh, all with Southern Health NHS Trust.

The new contracts will take effect from 23 April.

Charles Ellis, deputy chief executive of 4Children, said, ‘We are delighted that 4Children has been successful in its bid to run these key children’s centres –  after what was a highly competitive process.

‘Our growing presence in Hampshire will build upon our out of school provision in the county and is an example of how charities with national expertise in running children’s centres can join with local providers to create tailor-made services for the local community.’

4Children now has a national network of 50 children’s centres.

Councillor Roy Perry, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader and executive lead member for children’s services, said, ‘The provision of help in the early years is crucial for all children but most especially for vulnerable children.’

He said that the council would be investing £1m in all children’s centres to support their partnerships with local community organisations and schools.

Mr Perry also confirmed that the county council has agreed to an extra £500,000 a year to deliver speech and language therapy support in children’s centres, as part of the 2012/13 budget.

He said, ‘In line with the decision taken in May 2011 and as part of the ongoing contractual arrangement, all family support posts will be protected into the future as part of the contract arrangements.’