Bracknell

It was more than just a friendly get together when nearly a hundred delegates met last week (Friday 9 November) to shape the future of Bracknell Forest Borough’s extended services.

Everyone from directors elected members to Bracknell teachers, children’s centre managers and school nurses met at the Bracknell Family Church for the conference.

The conference aimed to explore how extended services based in and around schools and in children’s centres are delivering benefits, meeting local needs and improving outcomes for children, family and the community.

By providing joined-up services, Bracknell Council and other agencies want to help children reach five key outcomes - to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.

Access to a considerable variety of new services is being offered in local areas by schools, children’s centres, libraries, health centres, youth centres and in other places

Delegates took part in a range of workshops to thrash out ideas including workshops on flexible childcare, challenges faced by the change in the cultural make up of the borough, developing youth support services and developing community health.

Ideas from the day will be used to shape how services offered by Bracknell Council, Berkshire East Primary Care Trust, Police and other partners move forward and develop.

Guest speaker at the conference was Hugh Thornbery, Strategic Director for Children at NCH, the children's charity.

He stressed the importance of integrated delivery of frontline services built around the needs of children and families.

Hugh also talked about the important role of parents, and challenged the Council’s extended services teams to find creative ways of reaching hard to engage, minority groups and the most vulnerable children.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children’s Services and Libraries said: The day was focussed on integrating services and improving children’s lives in terms of all the five outcomes.

Through extended services local areas are actively involved in planning what they want to be provided for their children and families. These are the whole community’s business.

I am sure everyone took a lot from this day, as I did, and the things we learnt will be invaluable as we continue with these services in the future.”

Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Bracknell Education and Libraries and Chair of the Extended Services steering group, said: Providing extended services that parents and children find useful is very important to the Council.

Extended services in and around schools and children’s centres really have been making an impact and a useful contribution to the local community.

”I’d like to thank everyone who took part as their comments and suggestions are invaluable to everyone involved with providing extended services.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council