Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director for People and Neighbourhoods.

The report highlights the progress and impact of Family Hubs in Stockport during their first 12 months and identifies key achievements and areas for development to support their growth.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: LJ Woodward by email at lj.woodward@stockport.gov.uk

The Director for People and Neighbourhoods submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting the progress and impact of Family Hubs in Stockport during their first 12 months and identifies key achievements and areas for development to support their growth.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       Members enquired about the remaining hubs to be developed. It was noted that there was a goal to develop seven family hub networks, but was not about developing seven sites. So there are currently three main sites with another to be develop din the new year of 2025. There are also opportunities to use the Marple Hub as a designated site in 2026. Partnership working, outreach and development of the family hub bridge concept was also being used to develop the common purpose and common approach.

·       Clarification was sought regarding the data collection from the sites regarding accessing of services etc. In response, it was noted that data was not collected to measure footfall, however, the emphasis was about the response, the outcomes, the proactiveness and enhancing the service being delivered following the issues being raised.

·       Members enquired about how parents and nursery providers could be made aware of the family hubs and the service son offer. It was noted that early years settings and childminders would receive regular updates and would be connected to the team around the early years approach through named individuals as a point of contact. Raising awareness was also a key area of development to reach out to families through digital development and a social media presence.

·       It was commented that due to the number of housing associations there were in Stockport it would be a good idea to approach those organisations to develop and share information for parents and families.

·       It was noted that the submission of reports to the Committee were overlapping with themes and processes and sometimes could be quite complex with information e.g. family hubs and neighbourhood preventions and for those viewing the committees would seem confusing. It was requested that the approach be reviewed and officers be asked to provide summaries with reports to make it easier to understand and read.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.