§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to develop the network of family-based centres to help families in crisis.
§ Mr. BowisThe Government fund local authorities, through the revenue support grant, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need by providing a range of appropriate services, including family centres.
They make their own decisions on the allocation of resources available to them. Local authorities have a duty to provide family centres as they consider appropriate, either themselves or through working jointly with other organisations including voluntary bodies.
The Department has funded the family centre network for a number of years with the aim of promoting the family centre approach. It also funds other voluntary organisations which run family centres with the support of local authorities and, in some cases of health authorities.