Save the Unthank Centre

Norfolk County Council plans to close the Unthank Centre in Norwich and replace the Family Centre Team with six workers across the county. This will be a reduction of about half of the practitioners with no dedicated space for the work to happen. The impact of this plan will be that children and families will not benefit from the multi disciplinary approach available to them now, nor the security offered by a centre specifically resourced for this purpose.

The Unthank Centre works with children under 12 and their families who live in Norfolk. The children will have experienced very difficult life experiences, including abuse, neglect and trauma. The families are always struggling with complex difficulties and are looking after their children in difficult circumstances.

The Family Centre has a multi disciplinary team including early years workers, social workers and therapists. They help the families stay together to heal and overcome trauma and to develop secure relationships together.

There will be a meeting of the County Council on February 14th 2011 when this petition will be presented.