Decision details

In-sourcing the Bath West Children's Centre Services, to be delivered by the Council run Bright Start Children's Centre Services from 1st April 2025.

To agree that the Bath West Children’s Centre Service will be in-sourced from 1^st April 2025.

·  A children’s centre service delivered by one provider across the whole of B&NES will ensure a consistent offer for families and a straightforward pathway for partner agencies.

·  A children’s centre service delivered by the Council will help ensure the ability of the service to work flexibly to meet changing needs in the population and emerging Council priorities.

• A children’s centre service delivered by the Council across the whole of  B&NES will be able to provide cover between areas as required and share buildings, management and administrative resources.

1.  De-commission the Bath West Service (remove the service from the Bath West area) – discounted.

2.  Re-commission the existing model of delivery (re-commission with current service specification to be delivered by an external provider) – discounted.

3.  Review and Redesign Model of Delivery (re-commission the service in Bath West with a redesigned service specification to be delivered by an external provider).

4.  In source the service (to be delivered as part of Bright Start Children’s Centre Services).

The first two options were discounted, due to the need and demand for a service in the Bath West area, the changing needs of the population and a desire to continue to align the Bath West service and the children’s centre service delivered across the rest of B&NES.