Kent children's centre to stay open for another year

Two children's centres in Kent have been saved after Kent County Council decided to scrap it's plans to decommission it's services.

The KCC confirmed today that they will use part of the government's £4.1 million money for family hubs to fund Seashells - in Sheerness and Milmeads - Margate for 2024/25.

It means their doors will remain open, however, it was unable to confirm how much money the centres will receive and if it will be available for 2025/26.

It concludes an eight month battle to keep their services open and is the only the second time in 25 years that a decision put forward by a cabinet member has been overturned.

Ian Townsend Blazier, the manager for Seashells said: "to hear what they were saying shows they have been listening to all the data and information that's been shared over the last few months."

However, Ian did say there's still some uncertainty: "the unknown is the amount and what happens after the end of March 2026 but we have to focus on the now, and it's good for our families to know there will be a service for the next year at least."

Kim and Vicky, who work at Seashells, said: "It's a huge sense of relief, we're very emotional and overwhelmed.

It wasn't what we were expecting, we were hoping for the best, so it's really good to have it confirmed."

It was previously said that the KCC were trying to save around £400,000 by terminating the funding.

Today, reporters asked Sue Chandler, the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services if this money is what services will now get, and sue said: “It is funding for family hub services from their centres. The specifics of finance will be dependent on the services on the family hub services those centres want to deliver.

“There has to be a discussion on what they wish  to deliver to their families and we will then fund accordingly.”

Before the meeting, in an open letter, the Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, urged KCC to “reconsider their decision and find the necessary funding”, adding: “Seashells is more than just a service provider, it’s a lifeline for vulnerable families.”