Suffolk’s children’s centres are vital for hundreds of families, providing valuable services for children and parents.
But the Council wants to cut services at 22 of the remaining 38 centres. Eleven will have their hours cut while the other 11 will shut completely.
UNISON Eastern encourages everyone in the county to write to their MP and ask them so stand with Suffolk’s families.
UNISON surveyed centre staff and found more than four-fifths are opposed to the changes. A massive 81% warn they could have ‘devastating’ consequences for children and families in Suffolk.
The changes will hit the vulnerable hardest and have a catastrophic impact on rural communities, staff warn.
From 47 centres in 2015, there will be just 16 full-time children’s centres in Suffolk if the Council’s changes go ahead.
The South Suffolk parliamentary constituency will be left with just one full-time centre, after having five before 2015.
Bury St Edmunds will only have two full-time and two part-time centres, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich one full-time and two part-time, Ipswich four FT and three PT, Suffolk Coastal two FT and one PT, Waveney four FT and West Suffolk two FT and three PT.
MPs need to understand the harsh effect this will have on their constituents. Please write to your MP and urge them to stand with staff and families and call on the Council to stop its closures.