Hertfordshire County Council council plans family centre closures

By Danny Fullbrook & Deborah PriceTwenty-six family centres face closure and users of family support services could be charged for some activities under council plans.The authority wants to reduce the cost of its family support service by about £750,000 annually.

The council's family support services focus includes areas such as finding childcare, health visiting and antenatal classes. It also provides group activity sessions such as "rhyme time", baby massage and "stay and play", which would become paid-for under the plans. A council consultation found parents and carers were supportive of this "if the amount was reasonable, flexible, and didn't create a stigma".On Thursday the plans will be considered by the council's children, young people and families cabinet panel.Those who responded to the report suggested a reasonable charge would be between £1 and £4, with a drink and snack includedAt the end of June there were 323 unfilled roles within the department, a 66.

Among the "hard-to-fill" roles, the council seeking 12 educational psychologists and 59 social workers.The vacancy rate will also be considered at Thursday's meeting.

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