More support provided by new Family Support Service according to Buckinghamshire Council
Last September the service was reorganised and a report has been published on the changes.
A Buckinghamshire Council report says there has been an increase in sessions.
Last September the Family Support Service in Buckinghamshire was overhauled, and now a report has been published looking at that last year.
The purpose's of the changes were:
- provide better support for vulnerable children and families so they can achieve better outcomes
- to integrate services where possible to create stronger partnerships
- improve access and reduce duplication to ensure children and families needing support only tell their story once
- evidence the impact of early help to reduce cost pressures on statutory services
- Buckinghamshire Council have now published 'The Family Support Service, One Year Impact Report' which looks at the impact the changes have made.
- This includes information about the 16 Family Centres, which were created in place of the 35 Children's Centre's.
- According to this report the new centres have provided an additional 16.5% sessions, from 2,804 to 3,267.
- They also have increased support for local families in need and increased achievement of family outcomes.
- An Ofsted report in March commented that improvement was needed on supervisory practice, management oversight and improvement in the process around open cases.
- With the latest audit in August recognising progress has been made on these issues.
- The report also explains that through lockdown the demand on the service has remained steady, however they are now seeing an increase.