Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Mr Shonk, for whom Mr Finch was substituting. Apologies were also received from the Parent Governor and Church Representatives.

The Chair welcomed Mrs Lawes, who had joined the Committee since publication of the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 1 July and 3 August 2026 were a correct record and they be signed by the Chair.

1.    The item was introduced by Paul Webb, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, and officers from the Children, Young People and Education Directorate, who presented the report on the impact, effectiveness and sustainability of Kent Family Hubs. Members were advised that Family Hubs formed part of a national government programme which differed significantly from the previous Children’s Centre model in terms of scope, age range, funding arrangements, reporting requirements and delivery expectations.

2.    Officers explained that Family Hubs provided a whole-family approach for children and young people aged 0-19 and up to 25 for those with SEND. Members heard that, unlike the previous Children’s Centre model, Family Hubs operated through a hub-and-spoke approach involving physical locations, outreach provision, community venues, digital services and co-location with partner services, including libraries. 

3.    Officers advised that Government funding and delivery requirements prescribed much of the Family Hub model and limited local flexibility. It was explained that the programme required extensive reporting against national measures and operated within a different performance framework to that used under the former Children’s Centre arrangements.  It was emphasised that direct comparisons between the two models were difficult due to differences in programme objectives, eligibility criteria and performance measures.

4.    The Chair explained that the Committee's purpose in considering the report was to understand the impact of the Family Hub model and to consider whether changes in policy and service delivery were achieving the intended outcomes for children, young people and families across Kent.

5.    In response to questions and comments from Members, discussion included the following:

a)    Officers advised that Kent’s priority remained improving outcomes for children in the early years, particularly attainment of a Good Level of Development. Members heard that targeted work was continuing within schools and that successful initiatives would be shared more widely through the Practice Hub for early years.

b)    Members discussed the challenges associated with comparing Family Hubs directly with the previous Children’s Centre and Youth Centre provision. Officers emphasised that the models were fundamentally different and therefore direct comparisons in attendance and activity levels were not always meaningful.

c)    Concern was raised regarding the extent to which Family Hubs were meeting the needs of older children and young people. Officers explained that Family Hubs focused on targeted interventions for vulnerable young people, including emotional wellbeing programmes, contextual and online safety work, youth participation activities and Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) provision.

d)    Members sought assurance regarding the development of performance measures and outcomes. Officers advised that a Family Hubs performance framework had been developed and was in the process of establishing robust baselines against which future performance and outcomes could be measured.

e)    In response to questions about accessibility, officers advised that outreach activity formed a key part of the Family Hub model and included delivery through schools, village halls, libraries, community venues and other local settings. The importance of digital services was also highlighted, although officers confirmed that digital provision was intended to complement rather than replace face-to-face support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

1.    Members noted that the agenda for the next meeting contained several substantial items and suggested that appropriate time be allocated to allow full consideration of the reports.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Committee note the Work Programme.