Council children's services gets £9.4million boost

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children's services and education

Families in the borough of Rochdale are set to benefit from a £9.4million spending boost for the council’s children’s services.

The funding includes £6million to help recruit more social workers and foster carers, deliver a new safeguarding service, and provide further services for young parents, including mental health advice and support.

The council says that the cash injection, approved by councillors at budget meeting on Wednesday 22 February, will also help to increase the number of foster placements provided in the borough and boost spending on special education needs services.

In addition, the council has been allocated £3.4million of government money, through the Family Hubs Scheme, to enhance early help services for local children, young people and families.

The Family Hubs Scheme will deliver community midwifery, mental health advice, infant feeding facilities and housing support in ‘one stop’ community locations, including a new £749,000 Littleborough Children’s Centre.

Councillor Rachel Massey, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “This £9.4million spending boost underlines our commitment and drive to deliver high quality children’s services, and to give every young person in our borough the best possible start in life.

“Our new services will support thousands of young families, reduce health inequalities and improve people’s life chances. In addition, we are investing in the future with our drive to recruit more social workers and foster carers, reinforcing our vision to deliver the best possible services for young families in every part of our borough.”