HAMPSHIRE council bosses have embarked on a pioneering and radical scheme in a bid to modernise support for vulnerable children and their families.

The county council’s executive lead member for children’s services, Councillor Keith Mans has given his backing to a proposal for a single Family Support Service that will offer a one-stop shop for those who need it.

The aim is to offer a seamless range of support for vulnerable children and young people, up to the age of 19, and their families.

It is one of a number of proposals considered within the Transformation to 2017 programme.

Cllr Mans said: “Against a backdrop of difficult financial circumstances, and the need to continually improve, we must make sure the resources that we have are used to the best effect. With the service model proposed, we will be able to provide the right support at the right time for children and families and, where longer-term intervention is necessary, we can ensure there is continuity in that support.”

He added: “We are talking about a radical change in our approach, pulling together all of the very best that we have to offer.

“This means building on established good practice, to develop a streamlined service that is flexible and provides the right help to families that need it the most.”

Under the proposal, a Family Support Service would draw together more closely, the work of ‘early help’ hubs, children’s centres, youth support services and the Supporting Troubled Families Programme into one service providing co-ordinated, targeted support.

The county council’s executive member for education, Councillor Peter Edgar, said he was pleased that within the scope of proposals, investment in schools across the county was being retained.