A “PIONEERING move” to bring together services that will offer a “seamless range of support for vulnerable children and young people” has been welcomed by Hampshire County Council.

The 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.

This is one of a number of proposals being considered within the authority’s Transformation to 2017 programme.

Mr 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 today, 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 continued: “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, holistic service providing co-ordinated, targeted support”.

The county council’s executive member for education, Peter Edgar, added: “I am pleased to see that included within the scope of the proposals for savings in children’s services, and in such challenging circumstances, the county council is proposing to retain its investment in school improvement in Hampshire, to ensure our schools continue to improve and provide the high standard of education that we expect in our county.”

The full range of Transformation to 2017 children’s services savings proposals were considered on September 16 by Mr Mans’ decision-day meeting.

Underpinning the proposals are the department’s priorities to “support, care and protection for children, young people and their families, together with maintaining good quality education across the county”.