Potential closure of children’s centres across North Yorkshire should set alarm bells ringing - Yorkshire Post Letters

Your article on August 31 signalling closure and or ‘repurposing’ of 18 children’s centres by NYCC really should set alarm bells ringing.

All politicians know there are no votes to be had from young children but the last government’s shut down of the Sure Start programme and degrading of services to young people over 14 years is a self-evident legacy of shame.

I write as a School Governor who has seen over time the increased burden our schools have had on bear in compensating for the damage done to under-resourced and impoverished families. Money from teaching and learning budgets has had to be ‘repurposed’ to support families.

North Yorkshire CC’s proposals reek of further cost cutting, moving to online delivery is really inappropriate. Children and families need face to face support, young children need to become socialised.

The so-called ‘consultation’ appears to be no more than an anonymous online survey, difficult enough to access on the NYCC’s website. One wonders whether parents, schools and health services have been consulted about this proposal. There is no evidence published that indicates demand for support has diminished.

NYCC Children’s and Young People Services, namely Janet Sanderson (Executive Member) and Stuart Carlton (Corporate Director) need to provide more evidence of improved resources and demonstrate much more clearly how their proposals will enhance the life chances of the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society.