ESSEX County Council has stepped in to protect services and help save dozens of jobs in the county following the imminent closure of national charity 4Children.

4Children runs a number of day nurseries and afterschool clubs in Essex, as well as operating children’s centres and activity clubs for children with disabilities on behalf of the council.

The charity has today announced it will cease trading, with a large proportion of its services nationally transferring to Action for Children.

Following swift negotiations by Essex County Council, those services will include all of 4Children’s services in Essex, with about 70 local jobs protected as a result.

Cllr Dick Madden, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Adults, said: “Having been made aware of the imminent closure of 4Children, we have acted quickly to minimise disruption to service users in Essex and ensure children and families continue to be fully supported.

“We are delighted to have now reached agreement to transfer all affected services in Essex to Action for Children.

“We will strive to ensure the transition to the new provider is as smooth as possible and people can continue to access these important services.

“We appreciate the commitment and hard work 4Children staff have shown in running services in Essex, and are pleased all staff in the county will have the opportunity to be part of our future plans.”

Emma Horne, Action for Children’s Director of Children’s Services UK South, said: “Action for Children is looking forward to working with Essex County Council to continue providing services for children and families.

“Children and families can be reassured that we are all working closely to make this transition as seamless as possible so that they can continue to access these vital services.”

Essex County Council is in the process of contacting families and partners to notify them about the change in provider.

Anyone with queries about affected children’s centres, nurseries or afterschool clubs is encouraged to email [email protected]

For queries about activity clubs for children with disabilities, please email [email protected]