AN £8 million scheme which aims to reduce family breakdown and boost children’s self-esteem will “target the most vulnerable”, according to a leading county politician.
Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and young people’s social care, said the Early Help Strategy will be a major success.
Speaking before a meeting of the cabinet at County Hall, she said it will “put the family at the heart of everything” and offer more help to parents in need of advice.
The strategy, first revealed in your Worcester News on Thursday, aims to beef up the range of services available to youngsters.
Coun Eyre said: “This is about nipping problems in the bud and making sure that when parents and families need help, we are there for them.
“It will put the family at the heart of everything we do, but it’s not about a dependency culture.
“The key message will be that when parents come to us to tell us their story, they only need to do it once.
“It will be aimed at nought to 19-year-olds, and the funding we are putting into this is allocated very much on need. It will target the most vulnerable.”
Of the £8 million, Worcester will get the biggest slice on offer, of £1.9 million.
It will be spent in a variety of areas, including expanding the range of services available at children’s centres across the county.
It will also help identify a register of families where no adult works, children are not at school and at least one householder is involved in crime.
Research suggests there could be 900 homes fitting that description in the county.
But at the moment no database for them is available.
All of the names on the list will be told about the strategy and what it means for them.
Management structures of the 34 children’s centres in the county will also come together under one roof, ensuring the services on offer are consistent.