BCP Council is seeking the views of children, young people and their families on the future of its family hub and early help services.

The authority operates several dedicated early help services, some of which have become known as family hubs, youth services and targeted family support services.

Now, the local authority wants to hear views on the proposals that could help transform these services, whilst reducing the council’s budget deficit by £1.1 million.

Early help covers a wide range of services that provide advice, information, and support, as soon as possible, to help with challenges that may impact children, young people and their families from time to time.

These services are provided by a wide range of people such as midwives, health visitors, other health providers, nurseries, schools, youth workers and voluntary and community groups.

Cllr Richard Burton, portfolio holder for children and young people, said: “Children and young people are at the heart of this work; we want to deliver services that best meet their needs.

“This consultation is about enabling families to only have to tell their story once to access the help and support that they need.

“By changing the structure of service, we can deliver what children, young people and their families need in a more timely and cost-effective way.”

To help councils to continue to deliver its services, a family hub transformation grant has been made available to BCP Council by central government.

This additional funding is enabling increased partnership working across the family hub network to help to create ‘one stop shops’ for families providing community-based advice and support services in a timely way.

The consultation into the development of family hub services will close on March 10.