Leeds City Council has taken the decision to modernise children’s centre services in Leeds, to utilise opportunities to offer support from alternative community spaces and to ensure they are sustainable and cost effective for the future. We are now progressing through the delivery stage of these changes.
- What's happening now
- Changes to children’s centres approved by Executive Board
- About the review
- Contact us
What’s happening now
Services will be delivered through a more integrated approach. Building on the success of the seven Family Hubs, Children’s Centre services will align with these hubs to offer a wider range of support through several sites in each hub area. This will strengthen cohesion and ensure families receive consistent help.
Details of the most up to date building closures and service changes can be seen below:
| Name of children's centre (CC) | Exit timeline (to end delivery at this site) | Services are now delivered at |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Spa | Mid Feb 2026 | Wetherby CC |
| Castleton | Mid Feb 2026 | Armley CC or New Bewerley CC |
| Farnley | Mid Feb 2026 | Armley CC, Swinnow CC or Bramley CC |
| Villages East | Mid Feb 2026 | Kippax or Rothwell |
| Parklands | End of March 2026 | Seacroft CC or Kentmere CC |
Further planning for the following centres is still taking place and alternative venues will be confirmed as soon as possible:
- Garforth Children Centre (And Micklefield Satellite site)
- Burley Park Children Centre
Families can also use the children’s centres search tool to find the centre closest to their location.
We are progressing work on a proposed staffing restructure, with consultation involving staff and trade unions underway. It is expected that this will be completed by April 2026 order that staff groups can be reshaped to deliver an improved service via the 31 centres, in the newly formed 7 groups.
When this is complete, we will develop the service model for children’s centres, shaped by the views of families and stakeholders and informed by previous consultation and engagement. We are also progressing with the implementation of the new funding formula and developing the digital offer for families.
This review of Children’s Centre service delivery is an important first step towards creating a sustainable network of services that will effectively support the Leeds Ambitions and remain fit for a 21st-century Child Friendly City.
We recognise that these changes may bring some uncertainty for families and staff in the short term. Our aim is to minimise this by taking a pragmatic, well-planned and timely approach to the transition.
We value and welcome feedback throughout this process and encourage you and families to share your views as we move forward together.
If you have any questions, please email childrenscentresreview@leeds.gov.uk.
Changes to children’s centres approved by Executive Board
Keeping 31 children’s centres open across the city
The council to retain and continue operating 31 children’s centres to maintain a universal and citywide offer of support for families via the following groups:
- South Group 1: New Bewerley, Two Willows, Middleton
- South Group 2: Morley North, Rothwell, Lofthouse, Kippax
- West Group 3: Armley Moor, Bramley, Little London
- West Group 4: Horsforth, Ireland Wood, Swinnow, Hawksworth Wood, Aireborough, Otley
- East Group 5: Harehills, Gipton North & South, Richmond Hill, Osmondthorpe, Shakespeare
- East Group 6: Kentmere, Swarcliffe, Seacroft, Meadowfield Temple Newsam & Colton (MTC), Cross Gates & Manston
- East Group 7: Chapeltown, Moortown, Wetherby, Meanwood, Bankside
A new funding model
The implementation of a new funding formula model that will distribute available finances across the city in a way which best meets the identified needs within those communities.
Enhanced online support for families
Provision of an increased online offer of family services and support, whilst maintaining in person support for families.
New delivery spaces in some areas
Provision of services and support from other community spaces and buildings, as an alternative to some of the existing children’s centres.
Aligning children’s centres with Family Hubs
The organisation of Children’s Centres into 7 groups in alignment with the 7 Family Hubs approach.
Deregistration of 6 children’s centres
The deregistering of 6 children’s centres where services are not currently provided: City and Holbeck, Hunslet, Windmill, Morley South, Hollybush, Kirkstall.
Closure and realignment of 18 children’s centres
The closure and realignment of services in 18 Children’s Centres: Cottingley, Farnley, Gildersome, Ardsley/Tingley, Villages East, Castleton, Quarry Mount, Burley Park, Headingley, Pudsey, Farsley and Calverley, Parklands, Garforth, Boston Spa, Alwoodley, Roundhay, Chapel Allerton, Manor Wood.
Ongoing commitment to children’s centres
Leeds City Council remains committed to providing a universal offer of support and services across the city.
Benefits of these changes
- The changes will ensure a solid commitment remains to the provision of a universal offer of support and services across the city, underpinned by a needs-led funding model. This includes targeted funding for the most vulnerable, an approach that received strong support from both the public and professionals during the consultation.
- Leeds will retain its position as having the largest network of children’s centres of any core city.
- The changes will create a modernised and sustainable 0 to 5 years Family Service offer, with resources targeted based on community need and accessibility enhanced through both digital and face-to-face options.
- Updated service delivery will establish a more integrated approach with our Family and Community Hubs, supporting our ambition to offer more ‘one stop’ joined-up help for local people.
About the review
We have been reviewing how family services are delivered through children’s centres across the city. This included consultation on proposals to change how we offer family services and support from children’s centres in Leeds.
The review is about making a clear plan for the future. It has focused on the council’s key duties under the Childcare Act 2006 and considered how best these can be delivered to families of young children in the most effective and efficient way to:
- improve the wellbeing of young children in their area and reduce inequalities between them
- make arrangements to ensure childhood services in their area are provided in an integrated manner to facilitate access and maximise the benefit of those services to young children and their parents
- support commissioners of local health and employment services to work with the local authority in improving the wellbeing of young children and securing integrated early childhood service
Contact us
If you have any questions about the review, email: childrenscentresreview@leeds.gov.uk.
We will continue to publish updates on this webpage.
