Wyre Forest community groups successful in bid to help families (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Wyre Forest community groups successful in bid to help families

7:40am Friday 15th March 2013 in Local By William Tomaney

A CONSORTIUM of three local charities and community groups has been successful in its bid to provide early help services to troubled families in Wyre Forest.

The group, called “10:32”, is made up of children’s charity Barnardo’s, Vestia Community Trust and the ContinU Trust.

It will take over the running of services for 0 to 19-year-olds from Worcestershire County Council in August.

Rob Chadwick, of the ContinU Trust, said the consortium came together to make sure local groups won the bid rather than larger, national companies – as had happened in other places.

“This locally managed service is a major innovation nationally and demonstrates the ways in which education can play a wider role in community development,” he added.

“Delivering early help alongside our 10:32 partners as a single service gives Wyre Forest schools a real and unique opportunity to ensure every young person achieves their full potential.”

The consortium will invest in six existing children’s centres to use as meeting places and support a range activities. There will also be three teams of family workers, who will offer direct support to families. Experienced information advice and guidance workers will also be on hand to help youngsters.

Schools will also be able to play a role in identifying families and young people needing extra help through links with the ContinU Trust.

Conservative councillor Liz Eyre, county council cabinet member for children’s services, said she was “confident” the consortium would be able to “deliver services that meet the needs of residents in the district”.