Management Information Sheet
Children's Centre Update
Since we announced the three successful bidders (Norfolk Community Health and Care (NCH&C), Action for Children, and Great Yarmouth Community Trust) to take over the running of Children's Centres in Norfolk, we have been working with all three providers to prepare for the handover on 1st July, including the transfer of staff from one employer to another.
On 18th June Norfolk County Council agreed with Norfolk Community Health & Care (NCH&C) that 15 NCH&C contracts will not now be going ahead. This is because NCH&C found during preparations to transfer staff that they were unable to offer a pension scheme which met the very precise requirements set out in the Pensions Direction, which governs transfer of county council staff to third parties.
The Children's Centres which will not now be transferring to NCH&C are:
This means that NCC staff will not be transferring to NCH&C with effect from 1st July 2012. We are in discussion with alternative providers who were involved in the procurement exercise and as soon as we know who will be running these centres, and the timescales involved, we will be letting staff know and undertaking any necessary consultation.
In the meantime, we are putting interim management arrangements in place and the staff will remain employed by Norfolk County Council.
We have explained to staff that, having met our legal obligation to protect their pension position by including it in the terms of the contract, we cannot accept a position where a potential contractor can't comply with this requirement.
NCH&C will still be providing five children's centre Lots.
We will of course continue to work closely with them as health visitors are still an integral part of children's centre delivery.
TUPE transfers are still going ahead from 1 July in Lots where Action for Children (AfC) and Great Yarmouth Community Trust (GYCT) were awarded the contracts. . Staff are also transferring from a number of non-NCC providers to NCH&C on 1 July
Great Yarmouth Community Trust
Action for Children (AfC)
We have briefed managers and written to staff informing them of the situation.
Services provided by Children's Centres across Norfolk continue as normal and, until a new provider is appointed, we will continue to manage the centres and support our staff so they can continue to support the very many Norfolk families who value and rely on the services offered by their local Children's Centre
If you have any questions, please email: childrenscentrescommissioning@norfolk.gov.uk
On 18th June Norfolk County Council agreed with Norfolk Community Health & Care (NCH&C) that 15 NCH&C contracts will not now be going ahead. This is because NCH&C found during preparations to transfer staff that they were unable to offer a pension scheme which met the very precise requirements set out in the Pensions Direction, which governs transfer of county council staff to third parties.
The Children's Centres which will not now be transferring to NCH&C are:
| Lot | Number |
| Downham Market and Methwold | Lot 31 |
| Swaffham | Lot 32 |
| Harleston and Loddon area | Lot 08 |
| Long Stratton | Lot 10 |
| Wymondham and Hethersett | Lot 11 |
| Stalham and Broadland | Lot 13 |
| Reepham and Aylsham | Lot 19 |
| Attleborough | Lot 36 |
| Catton Grove, Fiddlewood and Milecross | Lot 03 |
| City and Eaton | Lot 07 |
| Spixworth and Sprowston | Lot 17 |
| Hellesdon and Drayton & Taverham | Lot 18 |
| Dereham Central, Dereham South and Litcham | Lot 33 |
| Acle | Lot 20 |
| Nar (S Lynn) plus East and West Winch and St Clements | Lot 28 |
This means that NCC staff will not be transferring to NCH&C with effect from 1st July 2012. We are in discussion with alternative providers who were involved in the procurement exercise and as soon as we know who will be running these centres, and the timescales involved, we will be letting staff know and undertaking any necessary consultation.
In the meantime, we are putting interim management arrangements in place and the staff will remain employed by Norfolk County Council.
We have explained to staff that, having met our legal obligation to protect their pension position by including it in the terms of the contract, we cannot accept a position where a potential contractor can't comply with this requirement.
NCH&C will still be providing five children's centre Lots.
| Bowthorpe, West Earlham and Costessey | Lot 04 |
| Cromer and Mundesley | Lot 12 |
| North Walsham | Lot 14 |
| Signpost (North Lynn) plus Gaywood North Bank and the Wootons | Lot 27 |
| Thetford and Thetford Drake | Lot 35 |
We will of course continue to work closely with them as health visitors are still an integral part of children's centre delivery.
TUPE transfers are still going ahead from 1 July in Lots where Action for Children (AfC) and Great Yarmouth Community Trust (GYCT) were awarded the contracts. . Staff are also transferring from a number of non-NCC providers to NCH&C on 1 July
Great Yarmouth Community Trust
| Greenacre and Priory (Great Yarmouth), minus Yarmouth North | Lot 23 |
| Seagulls (Gorleston) and Gorleston & Hopton | Lot 24 |
Action for Children (AfC)
| Thorpe Hamlet, Heartsease and Dussindale | Lot 02 |
| Wells, Stibbard, Holt & Corpusty | Lot 15 |
| Vancouver (Kings Lynn) plus Springwood Area | Lot 26 |
| Hunstanton | Lot 29 |
We have briefed managers and written to staff informing them of the situation.
Services provided by Children's Centres across Norfolk continue as normal and, until a new provider is appointed, we will continue to manage the centres and support our staff so they can continue to support the very many Norfolk families who value and rely on the services offered by their local Children's Centre
If you have any questions, please email: childrenscentrescommissioning@norfolk.gov.uk