Children's charity, Barnardo's, has announced that it is to help develop and run three new 'one-stop-shop' children's centres in Teignbridge. The multi-agency facilities will bring together experts and advice on everything from pregnancy to returning to work as well as offering support for parents, childminders and vulnerable families. One of the new centres will be at Highweek Primary School, Newton Abbot, where Devon County Council will invest almost £500,000 in improving facilities. Another will be developed at Milber School, Newton Abbot, where only minor changes are required and a third will be built in Heathfield, Bovey Tracey, at a cost of almost £200,000 although the exact location has yet to be established. Executive member for children's services Cllr John Smith said: 'Children from every community in Devon should have access to a children's centre, which will be the focus of a wide range of children's services. 'We are transforming the way services are delivered to children and their families, by establishing these hubs which focus on the many different needs of each child. 'This enables us to ensure the highest quality, most cost effective services are delivered by all the agencies involved, working in partnership.' The day to day running of the centres, nine in total across the county, has been made possible thanks to £1 million of government cash that Barnardo's will administer. Heather Colbeck, the charity's south west assistant director, said the new arrangements presented an exciting opportunity to shape future services. 'This is a very significant development which will empower families to offer their children a better and brighter future and transform their lives,' she said. 'The new centres will offer a safe, warm and welcoming environment acting as a one-stop-shop for a wide range of important services. 'Working together, we will encourage children to reach their full potential. It is the perfect example of how Barnardo's operates in the 21st century.' Cllr Gordon Hook, who represents Newton Abbot at County Hall, welcomed the news and said: 'The children can only benefit by this significant investment and that can only be good for all our futures.' Barnardo's was chosen to run the new centres by Devon County Council where a policy of partnership working is being encouraged.
