A re-branding exercise is under way to give a positive angle on changes to children’s centre services across the county, that are being made to save almost one million pounds.

It is being called “redesigned child and family centres,” to “better meet the needs of a growing and rural county” and includes working on an outreach basis.

Changes include transforming a youth centre at Scaldgate in Whittlesey into a new child and family zone.

Activities will be run at other venues on an outreach basis in new locations across the county.

Centres will provide a base for other services including adult learning, health visiting, midwifery and social care.

Buildings no longer operating as children’s centres will be used to boost child care provision with up to 325 new places provided for under fives.

Changes will also allow much-needed school expansions to take place in Whittlesey and Sawtry.

Frontline staff and managers are now working in new district-based teams and any remaining vacancies have been advertised.

Activities and events will be taking place in a range of new locations across the county with an extended focus on families with children of all ages.

The changes were agreed at full council in October 2017 following public consultation.

It will be discussed at the children and young people committee meeting on Tuesday March 13.

Councillor Simon Bywater, chairman of the children and young people committee, said: “I’m pleased to share more information about our new child and family centres with families this week.

“We worked with staff, local families and young people to get their views on the new branding and updated what’s on information.

“Work has been going on behind the scenes to ensure that the redesigned service is more responsive to the needs of our rapidly changing county whilst delivering the agreed savings target of £900,000 with no cuts to frontline delivery budgets.

“We will continue to further develop the programme with additional activities, including more for older children and in new outreach locations, during the summer term.”

The county council will be sharing what’s on event programmes for the summer term with families. There will be additional online information and new district Facebook pages launching from April.