Surestart Childrens Centres

Leicestershire County Council in partnership with North West Leicestershire District Council has developed seven new children's centres for under 5's and their families. This service will work, in partnership alongside other voluntary and statutory agencies to help improve outcomes for children and their families.

There are seven new centres, as well as the children's centre based at Warren Hills Primary School. They are at Coalville, next to the Children and Family Centre, by the library on the High Street. This will be the hub where most staff will be based and services coordinated centrally. The remaining six new centres are located within school grounds.

The others are at:

• Ashby Woodcote Primary School
• Thringstone Primary School
• Measham C of E Primary School
• Ibstock Community School
• Castle Donington Community College
• Moira Infants school

They were officially launched in October 2008.

Two staff have been appointed:

• Jenna Hall, Locality Partnership Co-ordinator
• Paul Harrison, Children's Centre Co-ordinator

Recruitment of eight Family Outreach Workers has taken place. Their role will be to help and support families, both at home and in the centres and other community facilities. Some of the key objectives will be to work with others in:

• Reducing the numbers of overweight and obese children, by helping them to achieve healthier lifestyles.
• Reducing the number of teenage pregnancies and improving the support available to younger parents.
• Helping to increase the uptake of breastfeeding.
• Improving the educational attainment of children entering school.
• Promoting the uptake of free nursery education.
• Providing additional support to parents, particularly those who are vulnerable.

Further information is available from Coalville Children's Centre tel no 0116 3055993.