Family language support service faces closure

A service that provides support to families in Lincolnshire who do not speak English could be cut.

The Best Start Lincolnshire: Inclusion Service began in 2023 and offers translation services in a variety of languages.

Lincolnshire County Council said it would not continue with the £130,000 a year programme from August, adding that help was available elsewhere and funding could be moved to other areas.

A council report said the number of ethnic minority children aged under five has dropped since the service began.

The service offers translation support in Bulgarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Russian and Ukrainian.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council officials said most authorities do not offer a service specifically targeted at ethnic minority children, and it is not a legal requirement.

"The Best Start Lincolnshire: Inclusion Service is performing well and is valued by both families and professionals. Consultation findings indicate that most respondents want the service to continue, despite 49% not using the service," a council report said.

"Given the council budget pressures raised through the budget process, with an inherent risk of higher cost increases in later years than planned, it is recommended that no longer commissioning the service is proportionate.

"The council should focus on maximising inclusive support within other services, particularly the Best Start Lincolnshire Early Years and Family Service."

The proposed cut will be discussed at a meeting of the Children's and Culture Committee on 6 March.

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