CONTRACTS to manage three children’s centre clusters in Gloucestershire have been awarded to Barnardo’s.

The approval to award the contracts was given by Cllr Paul McLain, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

Barnardo’s will run the Family Tree children’s centre cluster (Coleford, Mitcheldean and Newent children’s centres); the River children’s centre at Lydney, and the Parliament children’s centre cluster (Parliament, Painswick and Nailsworth children’s centres).

Sandra Donaldson, Children’s Centre Project Manager, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for a large voluntary organisation like Barnardo’s who have the experience of successfully managing centres in other parts of the country, to take responsibility for some of our children’s centres”

It has also been decided to begin negotiations with Barnardo’s for the management of The Link children’s centre at Robinswood.

Cllr Paul McLain, said: “They don’t come with much of a better track record than Barnardo’s. The expertise and quality that they will bring to these early years children - and their parents - will be invaluable.”