A review has been launched to help make the county council’s prevention services even more effective and to save £3 million.
The council spends £48.3 million per year on early help and prevention services, to tackle people’s problems before they get serious. Currently spread between three departments – children and families, adults and communities and public health - the council believes it can make them more cost effective.
Prevention work is crucial, to help people before their problems become more serious. This also helps to reduce the amount the council has to spend on more expensive, acute services, later on.
There is much to commend the early help we currently provide and many examples of lives turned around with our support. We remain committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. I believe we can make our services even more targeted and cost effective, by looking for opportunities to join up and avoid duplication.
Person:Cabinet member councillor Ernie White, who's overseeing the reviewExamples of the council’s early help and prevention services include:
- First Contact, which provides advice for adults and signposts assistance
- Local area co-ordinators, who work with communities to help them to support local people
- Assisted living technology, such as telecare and equipment to enable people to live at home
- 36 children’s centres, supporting children and families
- Supporting Leicestershire Families, which works to turn around families’ problems
At this stage, the council is considering general options and would need to carry out further, detailed work. Proposed changes will be submitted to cabinet and scrutiny committees, before any significant decisions are taken.
The council’s ruling cabinet will discuss the report when it meets at 11am on Friday, June 17. You can view it here live or as a recording.