Leys Children and Family Centre Refurbishment Completed
Families are to benefit from the completion of a £900,000 refurbishment of Oxford’s Leys Children and Family Centre.
It was officially opened during a tree planting ceremony by Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, who was joined by other dignities.
The project was jointly funded by Oxfordshire County Council and the government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency. Construction was be led by contractor ODS.
The work involved extending and reconfiguring the building to provide dual occupancy for the council’s family help practitioners and social workers and the Oxfordshire Hospital School.
Family help practitioners and social workers will use the space to provide key support for local families using a play and learn space, group work and supervised family time rooms.
The Oxfordshire Hospital School will base its business support team on site, as well as using the facility to offer virtual teaching to children as part of its outreach work.
Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, said: “This major refurbishment of Leys Children and Family Centre transforms it into an even more prominent focal point for families of children receiving support from Oxfordshire County Council, as well an important hub for the Oxfordshire Hospital School. Through spacious play and learn space and supervised contact rooms, we’ve provided first class, safe environments for children, young people and their families.”
The extension provides activity and conference space, and room for a disability platform lift to access the first floor.
Existing building and extensions have received new double-glazed aluminium windows, and a complete upgrade has been carried out to mechanical and electrical systems with the installation of new air source heat pumps and solar panels. Other refurbishments include a new staff kitchen.
Oxfordshire Hospital School had been using a temporary base provided by St Nicolas Primary School in Marston in Oxford. It moved from its previous accommodation to provide the Department for Education with a vacant possession to build The Swan School and rebuild Meadowbrook College.
Mitch Carter, Associate Director of Construction at ODS, said: “We take great pride in being a trusted partner for projects that truly matter to our communities. The completion of the Leys Children and Family Centre is a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and accessible spaces that meet the needs of Oxfordshire’s families and educators. As a reliable construction provider, we strive to build lasting, resilient facilities that will serve the community well into the future.”
