Senior councillors will discuss plans for a major refresh of the city’s children’s centres next week to offer a modernised service maintaining Leeds’s position as having the largest network of any major city in England, outside of London.
Leeds City Council’s executive board will meet on 15 October 2025 to consider the outcome of a review into the city’s children’s centres to create a more accessible and efficient network which reaffirms the authority’s commitment that all families, regardless of where they live, continue to receive high-quality support and services.
Children’s centres deliver services including social and educational groups for pregnant women and parents and carers of children under five, breastfeeding support and baby hubs, guidance around training and employment as well as welfare and financial advice. The proposed changes are to these services and not to any Little Owls nusery provisin which might be located on the same sight.
While Leeds City Council currently has 55 registered children’s centres, many are underused, single-purpose buildings and now exist among a range of other places where families can also access multiple services under one roof.
The review explored all sites to identify those which would be accessible, well-used, sustainable and cost-effective for the future and has been subject to extensive consultation with families, staff and stakeholders.
Mirroring national trends, the city is also experiencing falling birth rates, with the numbers of people estimated to access children’s services anticipated to reduce in future years.
The review identified opportunities to offer support from alternative community spaces in convenient locations across Leeds – a proposal which received positive feedback during the consultation, with many respondents stating they were open to accessing services in sites such as libraries, community centres, schools and leisure centres.
Subject to executive board approval, the review proposes to continue operating 31 children’s centres in Leeds – more than any other core city in England. These would be divided into seven groups which align geographically with the seven ‘family hubs’, launched earlier this year, ensuring families receive more consistent, joined-up support on a range of issues.
In South Leeds New Bewerley (off Dewsbury Road), Two Willows in Beeston, and Middleton Children Centres will continue operating.
The review proposes to close 18 children’s centres, following a detailed assessment based on local needs, building suitability – including whether nearby buildings could accommodate services – and consultation feedback. These include Cottingley.
Six historic non-operational children’s centres – where services are not currently provided – will be formally de-registered. These include City and Holbeck (Hunslet Hall Road), Hunslet (St Mary’s Primary School) and Windmill (Belle Isle).
A new funding formula has also been put forward, which ensures prioritised investment and targeted support in areas where families have greatest need.
The plans also include combining the continuing face-to-face support with a new and improved digital offer for suitable services – such as recorded workshops and online booking – to enhance accessibility for all.
The innovative service re-design provides the opportunity for the authority to achieve efficiencies and financial savings of up to £2.45m.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said:
“Children’s centres in Leeds play a vital role in supporting families and with 31 proposed to remain, the city will continue to retain more centres than any other core city.
“These proposals will allow us to continue delivering core and targeted support, while modernising services and providing access through co-located provision in trusted community spaces.
“By aligning with our newly-launched family hubs, we’re creating a more joined-up, city-wide network that reflects how families live, work and seek support today.”
To view the report being considered by the executive board visit Council and democracy (agenda item nine).
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
Photo: City & Holbeck is set to be de-registered (Google)
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