More families, children and young people will be able to access help, support and essential services in one place following a decision approved at Cabinet last night to move to a locality-based model for Family Hubs.
The plan will expand traditional Children’s Centres for families and children aged 0-5 to become Family Hubs, offering services to families with children aged 0-19, or up to 25 for young people with SEND. The Family Hubs will provide 24 additional services, including support and advice on education, housing, debt and money management, employment, skills, youth work, health and wellbeing services.
There will be three main Family Hubs across the borough, one in the north, one in the south and one in the central area. Woodlands in Selsdon which is already providing services, will be the main hub for the south. The Samuel Coleridge Taylor Centre (SCTC) in South Norwood, which will have a formal launch later this year, will cover the north with a strong focus on older children and young people.
A Family Hub covering central Croydon will also be opened, with its location to be confirmed after consulting with families.
In addition to the main hubs, families will be able to access support at outreach sites; Byron, Fairchildes, Purley Oaks and Castle Hill for the south; Winterbourne, Ecclesbourne and Kensington Avenue for north Croydon; and Aerodrome and Shirley for central.
New community-based ‘information hubs’ will also be introduced in places like schools, GP surgeries and libraries, and a digital Family Hub, so families can get the right help at the right time, in a way that works for them.
Before moving ahead with the plan, the Council will listen to residents, partners and professionals in a public consultation exercise set to launch next week.
“Family Hubs offer a fantastic range of services, from birth registration to Citizen’s Advice sessions, and it’s been great to see so many families enjoying them at Woodlands. We want to build on that success and roll out Hubs across the borough.
“Importantly, this plan will not only increase the locations and the range of services available but also the age range, so that our older children and their families can also benefit. Families grow and parents don’t just need support during the early years, but all the way through. This plan will mean that older children and their families can also get help all in one place, when and where they need it.
Before implementing the plan, we want to listen to our partners, children, young people and families, so that their experiences can help shape our plans. We will share details of the consultation, and I’d like to encourage everyone to get involved.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
