Issue details
Alternative services to those currently provided by the Toy Bus
Purpose of Report: The Toy Bus was agreed as a
saving for the 14-15 budget round. Staffing issues/vacancies are
compromising the capacity within Children’s Centres to
deliver services. The possibility of the Toy Bus staff to fill
vacancies rather than be made redundant has been identified. The
upkeep and replacement of the resources and the running costs and
maintenance of the Toy Bus with the need to address in –year
savings has meant that officers have had to explore the cessation
of the Bus earlier than anticipated. Discussions have taken place
with colleagues who run the Mobile Library to see whether the toys
could be used within the service to enrich story telling/play
activities and resource a lending library service from that
vehicle. A consultation took place with users of Children Centres
including the Toy Bus members to seek views on the future of
services currently provided through the Toy Bus. Two alternatives
were offered – use of the resources on the Mobile Library or
the toys to be used to support parenting and play with the more
vulnerable children in York including Children’s Centres. Two
thirds of respondents favoured the first.
The Cabinet Member will be asked to approve the recommendation to cease the Toy Bus, re-site the toys in the library service and develop a toy lending / play service.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Decision Made
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 14/06/2013
Implication: Equalities;
Level of Risk: 01-03 Acceptable;
Decision due: 10/07/13 by Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People
Lead member: Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People
Lead director: Corporate Director of Children, Education and Communities
Department: Directorate of Adults, Children & Education
Contact: Jill Hodges, Assistant Director Education and Skills Email: jill.hodges@york.gov.uk, Paula Richardson, Children's Centre Strategy Manager Email: paula.richardson@york.gov.uk Email: paula.richardson@york.gov.uk / Email: jill.hodges@york.gov.uk.
Consultation process
A consultation was compiled and shared with
users of Children’s Centres and the Toy Bus within the
Children’s Centres and services run by them, on the
Children’s Centre web site using survey monkey, on the Family
Information Service site, on the Toy Bus and emailed out to all
registered families. The consultation lasted from 8 May to 31
May.
Consultees
Consultation was carried with all users of
Children’s Centres, in particular users of the Toy Bus and
those who has submitted an e-petition
Making Representations: By writing to the report author.
Decisions
Agenda items
- 10/07/2013 - Decision Session - Executive Member for Children Young People and Education Alternative services to those currently provided by the Toy Bus 10/07/2013