Council set to continue support for Wokingham home-start contract
At its meeting on March 27, Wokingham Borough Council’s decision-making executive will consider a report into the outcome of a review into the council’s contract with Home-Start, a local voluntary organisation which provides support to families with children aged under five. The executive members will be asked to approve funding for £50,340 to allow the contract with Home-Start to continue to run until March 31, 2009.
Earlier this year, Wokingham council officers proposed early termination of the Home-Start contract to help reduce budget pressures within children’s services.
Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “The council’s budget is under severe pressure as we undertake statutory duties and support valuable voluntary services where possible. We must therefore review services for value for money and affordability. Home-Start mainly supports families who would not be eligible for council services. However the needs of some families receiving Home-Start support may escalate should the service be withdrawn. Having completed the review, the executive will be asked to allow the Home-Start contract to continue until March 2009.
“The council has recently introduced a new way of working with vulnerable children and young people with additional needs, by setting up teams of workers from different professional backgrounds to ensure children’s needs are identified earlier to prevent them escalating. The council will work with Home-Start over the coming year to explore possible options for them working with the council following the end of the contract next year.”
For financial year 2006-07 Home-Start’s own statistics indicate they helped 97 families during the year, of which only 10 were referred by the Wokingham council. Other referrals included 52 from health staff and 29 direct from families.
The executive will therefore consider a supplementary estimate of £50,340 to continue the contract with Home-Start until March 31, 2009.
Earlier this year, Wokingham council officers proposed early termination of the Home-Start contract to help reduce budget pressures within children’s services.
Cllr Norman Jorgensen, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “The council’s budget is under severe pressure as we undertake statutory duties and support valuable voluntary services where possible. We must therefore review services for value for money and affordability. Home-Start mainly supports families who would not be eligible for council services. However the needs of some families receiving Home-Start support may escalate should the service be withdrawn. Having completed the review, the executive will be asked to allow the Home-Start contract to continue until March 2009.
“The council has recently introduced a new way of working with vulnerable children and young people with additional needs, by setting up teams of workers from different professional backgrounds to ensure children’s needs are identified earlier to prevent them escalating. The council will work with Home-Start over the coming year to explore possible options for them working with the council following the end of the contract next year.”
For financial year 2006-07 Home-Start’s own statistics indicate they helped 97 families during the year, of which only 10 were referred by the Wokingham council. Other referrals included 52 from health staff and 29 direct from families.
The executive will therefore consider a supplementary estimate of £50,340 to continue the contract with Home-Start until March 31, 2009.
Wokingham Borough Council
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