Oxfordshire children's centres merger plans prompt protests

The council wants to merge 44 children's centres and seven early intervention hubs

About 60 people have protested in Oxford ahead of a consultation on merging the county's children's services as part of £8m of cuts.

Under the proposals, the county's early intervention service could be integrated with children's social care.

Some of the county council's 44 centres for under-fives and seven "early intervention hubs" could close.

Oxfordshire County Council said it would continue to support the most vulnerable families in Oxfordshire.

The authority wants to replace existing centres with eight "children and family centres" located in the neediest areas of Oxfordshire.

The proposed merged centres would be in Blackbird Leys, Rose Hill/Littlemore and Barton/Sandhills in Oxford and Banbury, Didcot, Abingdon, Bicester and Witney.

Protestors met outside Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre before heading to Bonn Square, holding handmade signs.

Services such as stay and play and open access youth sessions will no longer be provided by the council

One service for babies to 19-year-olds would be created rather than continuing with services divided by age group

Mother Emma Taylor said the Henley centre had been a "lifeline" to her when she was suffering from post-natal depression with her young baby.

"I don't think I'd have very many friends with similarly-aged babies if it hadn't been for the children's centre," she said.

The county council, run by a Conservative Independent Alliance, said the new services would combine children's social care and the current work of children's centres and early intervention services more effectively.

It said it would still be "present in all communities" through outreach work, despite reducing its number of buildings.

In October 2013, protests were sparked over fears some children's centres could close.

By the end of that year council leader Ian Hudspeth said children's centres were no longer under threat, but by last December cuts to them were back on the agenda.