The decision for us to develop Children’s Centres into Family Hubs was taken last year, and since then, we and Action for Children have been making the transition from one to the other.

The big differences, and what will benefit all families in Devon, are:

• Unlike Children’s Centres, Family Hubs don’t require people to be referred to them by professionals. They’re open to everyone. They’ll work with communities to provide a range of information and guidance to all, as well linking with targeted support for young people and their families who need particular support
• Children’s Centres used to support families of children aged zero to eight years old, but Family Hubs offer support to all families of children aged zero to 19, or up to 25 years old for young people with special educational needs or disabilities
• Family Hubs will bring together and consist of existing care and support providers in local communities, so there will be a wider range of help and advice available to families

We plan to use a lot of the former Children’s Centre buildings as Family Hubs, but those that we don’t use for that purpose will continue to be used to provide family support, such as childcare, and services that support families for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The decision taken this week to not re-tender the delivery contract when the current one expires, and instead to take the delivery of Family Hubs in-house, means that we and Action for Children will be talking to each other to bring staff who deliver the current services, into the council, with the aim that there is limited disruption to the services received.