An organisation that has helped thousands of families throughout Fife is the latest victim of Fife Council cuts it has been revealed. Homestart which has projects based in Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Crosshill, Glenrothes, Leven and Cupar provides a service through which staff and volunteers visit and support families with a range of needs as diverse as isolation, health, family breakdown and also direct support to parents who are finding parenting a struggle.Each of the projects received a letter this week advising them that their budget from Fife Council will be cut by £8,333 each as a result of the Fife council budget passed by councillors last month.
The news has drawn a furious reaction from Fife Labour who say there was no specific mention of the Homestart cut in the budget voted through by SNP and Liberal councillors and claim the impact has not been properly considered. Labour are now calling on members of the social work committee to reject the cut at their next meeting which is due on 25th March.
Labour leader Alex Rowley said; “This cut of just under £50,000 will have a massive negative impact on support for parents and children who are really struggling. In the long term the cost of not providing these services will be far greater. All the evidence shows that early intervention can make a real difference in shaping a childs future and where parents are struggling to cope the support of Homestart is vital.
“In my own ward in Crosshill the project is to get a 9% cut which will mean a reduction in its ability to support up to ten families. This decision is not just short sighted, it is ill considered and flies in the face of all the good practice and evidence on what is needed to support families who are struggling to cope.
