'I have never been this terrified in my life' says parent as children's centres set to close

A mum of two from the Isle of Sheppey has told us she is the 'most terrified she has ever been in her entire life'

On Friday it was announced that Seashells in Sheerness and Milmeads Margate would not have their contracts renewed - with the cabinet member for integrated children’s services, Cllr Sue Chandler, approving the proposal.

It means both the children's centres could close by the end of March and Amy Watkins, who's children attend seashells, can't believe it is happening, she said: "When I found out the news I had to sit with my feelings for a couple of hours and after that I just broke down.

Over the weekend it has just been the same, constantly crying, in a state of panic and my anxiety has just been through the roof and right now 'm going through the waves of different emotions at the moment, from complete distraught and panic, to anger and just complete sadness.... it's a real real shock, I didn't expect it at all.

"I'm just bitter, I don't really know what to do now, I feel lost like a sheep and just completely broken. And I'm just trying to put on this brave face, pretend this isn't affecting me and keep saying 'yeah, we'll look at other options' but deep down I am the most terrified I have ever been in my entire life...

On what Seashells means to her, Amy said: "In my darkest times I have reached rock bottom and I didn't see a way out and if it wasn't for Seashells I don't think I would be here now to be honest. They have put me back on track, guided me, and just have always been there for me through thick and thin."

Kent County Council (KCC) claims the loss of both children's centres will help the authority shave around £425,000 off the budget and says it plans to offer the same services at alternative locations, however, opponents claim they will not be suitable or even ready in time.

Sue Chandler, Kent County Council (KCC) Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said: “After carefully considering all consultation feedback received alongside the council’s budget recovery plan and our existing in-house Family Hub model, I have taken the very difficult decision not to renew the contracts for the non-KCC Family Hubs at Millmead, Margate and Seashells, Isle of Sheppey, when they end in March.

“KCC is under critical financial pressures, now and in the future and like a lot of decisions the council is having to make at this time this was not easy, but I must ensure our services are equitable, efficient and effective for all Kent residents.

“Although KCC has recently welcomed just over £4m as Kent’s share of the government’s recently announced £126m national funding boost for early years support, this money is subject to strict spending and delivery requirements.

"We are awaiting full details of these from the Department of Education, but we know this money must be used to fund the core delivery aspects of our Family Hubs and must all be used within the next financial year only. Therefore, we are unable to consider this to commission ongoing services at Millmead and Seashells Family Hubs.

“I know this will be deeply upsetting for those who currently use these Family Hubs but I want to ensure them that we remain committed to providing all Kent’s children with the best start in life and continued support as they grow, and core Family Hub services will still be available from nearby KCC locations.

“Moving forward, we are in discussions with partners and the buildings’ owners around what future KCC outreach services could be delivered from there to support their local communities.”

On the next steps, Sheppey independent Cllr Mike Whiting said Seashells is the model KCC should be adopting, not losing. He said: “This is disgraceful and the KCC cabinet member should hang her head in shame.

"Seashells sees more people for less money than all the other centres in Swale put together. It is the model KCC should be reproducing elsewhere for Family Hub provision. Instead it will drag the services available in Sheerness down to the lamentable provision it offers elsewhere.

”The next step is to get this decision called in to KCC’s Scrutiny Committee later this month, where I will have one last chance to argue the case and try to persuade the cabinet member to change her mind.

“Getting the decision called in does put it on hold, meaning it does not take affect just yet, but I fear the wheels behind the scenes will now be in motion.”

However, Cllr Whiting said he is unable to “call in” the proposal to scrutiny as he is a lone independent but thinks there may be two members from each political group willing to do so.