Dear Councillor,

I hope you are well and enjoying the start of 2016.  I wanted to make you aware of a forthcoming change to the services provided by The Children’s Society in your ward.

At The Children’s Society we are committed to making the greatest possible impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged children, teenagers and their families through all of our services and campaigning – in Oldham and nationally.  Following a national review of our strategy we have decided to focus our work upon supporting disadvantaged 10-18-year-olds.  We are looking to build upon our track record of working with those with the most complex needs who are all too often let down or abandoned – including the most disadvantaged older children and young people suffering from poverty and neglect.

Our contract with Oldham Council to run six children’s centres – including Shaw and Crompton Children’s Centre – ends on March 31 2016.  Following the review of our strategy we have decided not to re-tender for this contract.  It was a difficult decision to make, especially given the hard work and commitment of staff and volunteers at our Oldham children’s centres in supporting local children and families.  However, we are confident we will be handing the centres over in good shape when our contract ends.

The new provider of our children’s centres has been chosen by Oldham Council.  From April 1, 2016, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust will run the Oldham children’s centres.  Children and families will still be able to access the Oldham Children’s Centres and we are fully committed to ensuring a smooth handover and supporting the new providers as the services transfer to them.

The Children’s Society remains committed to changing the lives of children and teenagers in Oldham, including through our advocacy work with children in care, as well as our Resolve counselling service and our family support service.  We are continuing to work closely alongside key partners including Oldham Council.

 

Yours sincerely, Rob Jackson, Area Director, North of England