National charity funding cut by £100,00 after failing Falkirk Council targets

National Charity Faces £100,000 Funding Cut Following Falkirk Council Targets Failure

A national charity operating in Falkirk has had its budget slashed by £100,000 annually for falling short on targets to assist local families. The Aberlour Family Support Centre has merged with the charity’s early years outreach project to streamline its services, as disclosed to members of Falkirk Council’s Scrutiny Committee.

The committee reviewed various reports outlining the value of services aimed at children and families that receive funding from Falkirk Council. Aberlour’s early years outreach service caters to families grappling with issues such as child development concerns, parental health challenges, parenting difficulties, domestic violence, and substance abuse.

While the service has been beneficial to supported parents, it fell significantly below the targeted numbers for the second consecutive year. One service, in particular, Play Together, Learn Together, consumed substantial resources, leading to limited staff availability for early years outreach support. This resulted in extended support periods exceeding a year in some cases, rather than providing short-term assistance for families to swiftly regain stability.

The average wait time for families in need of outreach services was 81 days, with the longest wait recorded at 290 days. Similarly, Aberlour’s family centre in Langlees, offering social, emotional, behavioural, and mental health support, had an average wait time of 76 days, with the longest recorded wait reaching 335 days. Council officers collaborated with Aberlour to restructure both services to alleviate the backlog, thereby ensuring prompt responses to local needs at a more manageable cost.

On a positive note, Homestart Falkirk, a volunteer befriending service aiding families with children under five, received commendation for surpassing targets. Despite being allocated £28,014 in funding for the year to support 25 families, the service extended assistance to 72 families. Homestart now focuses on providing group activities, which have been well-received by service users, many of whom face social isolation challenges.

Insights and Summary:
The cut in funding for Aberlour highlights the importance of accountability and efficiency in charitable organisations, especially when providing essential services to vulnerable families. The necessity for timely and effective support for families in need is crucial to address underlying issues promptly. The successes of Homestart Falkirk demonstrate the positive impact of volunteer services in bridging gaps and fostering community support networks. Collaborative efforts between charities and local authorities are essential to ensure resources are optimally utilised for the benefit of those in need.