Decision details

This report seeks approval for an additional refurbishment of Alexandra Childrens Centre,
This report seeks approval for an additional refurbishment of Alexandra Childrens Centre, which would be delivered by way of a further call off with E Smith & Son off under Lot 14 (Minor Works - Building Repairs / Maintenance / New Build / Extensions / Refurbishment) of the Construction and Highways Works and Services Framework Agreement (CHWSF). This will ensure the transformation (upgrade and refurbishment) of Alexandra Childrens Centre. If approved, and that Oldham’s Family Hubs programme will be able to deliver services in welcoming, safe, and secure spaces.


The implementation of a Family Hub will require adapting existing buildings, improving accessibility, and enabling multi-agency working, which could include IT upgrades, signage, improving building space, new furniture to ensure suitability for older children, and new equipment to support the co-location of the start for life workforce, such as desks, phone systems and sinks or specialist flooring for clinical use by midwives or health visitors.

According to the DfE requirements, Family Hubs buildings should be welcoming, safe, and secure spaces. Additionally, they should have:
• A designated welcoming, safe and secure breastfeeding space for mothers to breastfeed and meet other breastfeeding parents.
• A designated welcoming, safe and secure space where parents can speak to practitioners, volunteers, or other peer supporters about their wellbeing and mental health.

RESOLVED - That:
This report seeks approval to enter into a call-off contract to allow for further works to be delivered to ensure the transformation (upgrade and refurbishment) of Alexandra Children’s Centre, and that Oldham’s Family Hubs programme will be able to deliver services in welcoming, safe, and secure spaces.
Oldham Council, alongside 74 other LAs, met the government’s criteria to receive a share of a ringfenced funding for Family Hub development.
The expectations for delivery include providing a range of support for families, children, and breastfeeding parents in key important areas through different workstreams such as Parenting Support, Infant Feeding, Home and Learning Environment, Mental Health, Start for Life Offer and Parent Panels

Option 1 - Approve the request to make a direct award and enter into a call off contract for the refurbishment and upgrade of Alexandra Children’s Centre. This would be formalised in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules, incorporating the Public Contract Regulations 2015.
Option 2 - not approve the request to make a direct award and appoint as detailed in this report. This would result in the failure to deliver the commitments to develop Oldham’s Family Hubs Programme. A mini competition under Lot 14 would be time consuming and resource

not approve the request to make a direct award and appoint , as detailed in this report. This would result in the failure to deliver the commitments to develop Oldham’s Family Hubs Programme. A mini competition under Lot 14 would be time consuming and resource

According to the DfE requirements, funding should be used to strengthen working in partnership to deliver Family Hubs activities/services and outcomes as well as to improve buildings.
Oldham’s Family Hubs Programme is aimed at ensuring that every Family Hub has a welcoming space where children, young people, and carers feel comfortable to receive the support they need. Oldham Council aims to transform a further Children’s Centre into a Family Hub by August 2024 (following the successful launch of 6 Hubs since July 2023). Currently, the remaining Children’s Centres are perceived as centres for children between 0 and 5 years of age, and to make sure these centres are really welcoming and perceived as open for children of different ages, they will need to be furnished, and their indoor and outdoor spaces will need to be enhanced so parents and young people feel comfortable coming to the Hubs to receive the support they need.

Additionally, some buildings will need to be redecorated so they feel stigma free, and family centred, as well as, having sensory spaces so families and children with SEND will have enriched environments where children can play, learn and grow while improving families’ relationships and children's well-being. Oldham Council’s allocation from the National Government Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme can be used to fund the proposed works and services.