A PETITION brought to Bradford Council’s full council meeting has warned proposed cuts in children’s services could see the district becoming “the scene of the next child tragedy”.

A consultation into planned £13.3 million cuts ended in February and it is expected the cuts will hit services currently offered by Bradford’s children’s centres.

Children’s centre bosses fear up to 240 full time jobs could go from the department, leaving them struggling to help disadvantaged families.

The cuts are part of austerity measures being implemented across the council through reduced government funding.

Bringing the petition to full council on behalf of Bradford Families Against Children’s Services Cuts, Richard Purdie, a retired children’s services manager asked members to prioritise front line services for children, young people and families.

They were also asked to maintain children’s centres as places where families can access a full range of diverse and responsive early help and preventative services including sessions open to all, in order to help relieve pressures on individual families and on children’s social care.

The petition called for central government lobbying to restore local government funding.

He also asked that the results of the prevention and early help consultation be published fully.

Mr Purdie said there was a lot of concern among parents he had spoken to with 87 per cent either disagreeing or strongly disagreeing with the proposals which had been outlined.

As well as a suggested reduction in outreach centres and the hours they would operate, he said the cuts would hit the most needy in the city and was a case of “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.

“It is important to stress that families using centres are the most vulnerable and needy in the district and they include migrant families who have come to the city for a better life.”

He added that scaling back on services would have a negative affect in areas dedicated to protecting young people.

“It would increase the risk of family break downs, and increase in child neglect and abuse and, ultimately, increase the danger of Bradford becoming the scene of the next child protection tragedy.

"We fear that you are brewing the perfect storm."

He asked that the matter be brought back to executive for consideration which was agreed by the full council.

Results of the consultation are due to be published in April.