Decision details

The Director, Public Health, Protection & Community Services referred Members to his report which advised of the Cwm Taf Early Years Co-construction Project, and sought Members approval to implement the proposed changes to the existing model to deliver the transformation of the early years system in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Members were advised that to deliver a new Early Years System for RCT that was truly responsive to the needs of children and families, it was necessary that the Council moves away from the delivery of services that are determined by geographical postcodes to a model that promotes universal access to services for all families in RCT.  The Director added that to do this it is necessary to use the full flexibility of both the Children and Communities Grant and the Housing Support Grant to deliver the vision of providing the right support to the right people at the right time.

Delivery of a four programme strands ( Parenting / Early Language and Communication /  Health Visiting / Childcare)  within a needs based approach would be facilitated by universal access to a single 'front door' via the Resilient Families Service, if the proposals were taken forward.

The Director referenced the consultation that had been undertaken including a public consultation on the proposed Early Years transformation in June 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People welcomed the needs base approach, commenting on current the inequality with the ‘post code lottery’ and spoke of the importance of access to services through the ‘single front door’ via the resilient families service.

Other Cabinet Members spoke positively of the proposals, commenting on previous difficulties experienced with accessing the Flying Start system.

Following discussions, it was RESOLVED:

1.    That following consideration of the report and consultation responses to endorse the progress made to date and proposals for further transformation of the Early Years System in Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Cwm Taf region.

2.    To approve the plan to adopt a phased approach to providing funded childcare based on assessed need that is not limited to existing Flying Start postcode areas, as set out in sections 6.8 to 6.11 of the report.

3.    That with effect from September 2019, to approve the reduction in the number of weeks per year funded childcare places offered from 42 weeks to 39 weeks to align with Flying Start Guidance and current practice in the rest of Wales.

4.    To submit a formal proposal to Welsh Government seeking Ministerial support to pilot further changes to the Early Years system in relation to the introduction of a needs based approach and changes to health visiting; implementing the outcomes of the Early Years Co-construction Pathfinder Programme.