Hucknall part of plans to turn Nottinghamshire children’s centres into family hubs

The decision will mean the centres expand from catering for under-fives only to all people under 18, or 25 in the case of people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Family hubs are designed to provide help with social care, education, mental health or physical health all under a single roof.

The county council had previously proposed 17 locations to cover the whole of Nottinghamshire.

These include Ashfield South, targeting Butler’s Hill and Broomhill in Hucknall.

A report going before cabinet on March 28 recommends that children’s centres are converted into family hubs, with the rollout over the next 12 months.

The council previously said existing services for under-fives would still continue in children’s centres.

There could also be virtual and physical access points such as job centres, Citizens Advice and health centres.

The Ashfield South area has a target opening date of April 2025.

More than 80 per cent of parents and carers supported the proposals when a public consultation was carried out last year.

A small group were concerned about existing services being lost or whether there would be the resources to deliver all of the plans.

The hubs are seen as the Government’s replacement for Sure Start centres.

Nottingham City Council was one of 75 authorities to receive a share of the £301.75m Family Hubs and Start for Life programme for its own series of hubs.

The county council did not receive any new money and will be asking its partners to make necessary contributions.