Anxious parents turned out this week to hear first hand Somerset County Council’s plans for their much valued Fledgelings Children’s Centre based at Bishop Henderson primary school in Taunton.

There were relieved faces when County Council representative Vicky Thomas explained categorically that Fledgelings Children’s Centre was under no threat of closure as a result of the County de-designation process and that it would be open for business as usual.  Ms Thomas explained that despite having to make £3.1 million of cuts to the 41 centres across the county, the intention was not to close any centres but simply to stream line services, spending less on management and more on front line services which would ultimately improve the outcomes for children.

The only change at Fledglings is that the centre staff  have been transferred to become staff of Somerset County Council and the centre will be treated as a deliverer of  a children’s service under their auspices.

Parents had written letters and prepared a presentation and posters to press home to the Council how much the centre means to them:

‘This centre is so important to us’ explained Jenni Fouracre who uses the centre regularly with her son and new baby ‘ it gives us a support network,  friendship, it’s a necessity for us all. It helps mums returning to work, it give us confidence after giving birth, provides advice for things like domestic violence and it brilliant for our children to learn skills.’ 

Rebecca Pow, Prospective Conservative MP for Taunton Deane attended the meeting to hear the news herself:

‘This has been a really anxious time for parents who rely on this excellent Children’s Centre.  It’s a shame mixed messages have been bandied around about exactly what is happening to our children’s centres because it has caused a lot of unnecessary heart ache.  I share in the delight these parents are showing at the news that the Centre is not being threatened in any way by the County Council’s planned re-structuring. In fact I think it will mean centres like this one are used more, offer more services and more opportunities for our communities are provided.  Centres like this serve many vital purposes they offer support  and advice to  parents both during maternity and when they have young children, they  give children confidence helping them to develop important skills for the future and they are crucial meeting places where friendships are build and a community spirit develops. All really important for our society.’

Rebecca was also assured that children and family support services will still be provided in the controversial Wiveslicombe area with a trust likely to be set up involving local schools in the area taking over the management role.   It is likely that children’s centres across Somerset  may also be re-branded to enable children of all ages to access a wider range of services.