Relocating Maidstone Family Hub Services

We are consulting on proposals to relocate the InfoZone Family Hub services currently delivered from 3 Palace Avenue and deliver them through a strengthened Maidstone Family Hub network. This would mean the Palace Avenue building would no longer operate as a Family Hub building. When developing this proposal, we considered:

  • the needs of children, young people and families
  • the opportunity to improve the Family Hub offer
  • strengthening partnership working through closer collaboration with partners and, where possible providing appropriate, regular access to space for partner organisations to deliver services
  • the condition of the Palace Avenue building, the estimated repair costs and ongoing running costs
  • the Council's wider financial position and the need to make efficient use of its buildings.

InfoZone Family Hub has a number of limitations. Services can only be provided from the ground floor because significant work would be needed to bring the first floor back into safe use, including improvements to evacuation arrangements. This restricts the amount of space available for Family Hub activities and partner organisations. A recent survey has also found evidence of movement in part of the building, indicating possible subsidence.

We're proposing the following:

  • Parkwood becoming the main Family Hub and the largest location for delivering services. This would allow us to expand the offer using the space left vacant by the former nursery
  • East Borough Children’s Centre reopening as a Family Hub, providing an additional purpose-built location
  • Greenfields, Westborough and Southborough Family Hubs continuing to support families across the district, alongside services delivered in town-centre locations and through community outreach.

How to get involved

We recommend you read the Consultation Document before responding to this consultation. We are keen to hear your views on our proposals and how any changes may affect you.

To take part in the consultation, please complete the online questionnaire.

Alternatively, you may wish to fill in a Word/paper version and return it by email: maidstonefh@kent.gov.uk or you can post it or hand it in to InfoZone Family Hub, 3 Palace Avenue, Maidstone ME15 6NF.

If you have any questions, please contact us on maidstonefh@kent.gov.uk or 03000 419 470.

Next steps

Following the end of the consultation, we will review all responses, update the Equality Impact Assessment (if needed), and prepare a consultation report to help inform the final decision.

The consultation report, updated EqIA and committee papers are expected to be considered by the Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Cabinet Committee in early 2027.

If the proposal is approved, the Family Hubs team will contact families, young people, carers, staff and partners. We will provide advance information about the implementation timetable, service locations and offers, town-centre outreach, travel and accessibility arrangements, and any temporary provision needed during the transition.

We are consulting on proposals to relocate the InfoZone Family Hub services currently delivered from 3 Palace Avenue and deliver them through a strengthened Maidstone Family Hub network. This would mean the Palace Avenue building would no longer operate as a Family Hub building. When developing this proposal, we considered:

  • the needs of children, young people and families
  • the opportunity to improve the Family Hub offer
  • strengthening partnership working through closer collaboration with partners and, where possible providing appropriate, regular access to space for partner organisations to deliver services
  • the condition of the Palace Avenue building, the estimated repair costs and ongoing running costs
  • the Council's wider financial position and the need to make efficient use of its buildings.

InfoZone Family Hub has a number of limitations. Services can only be provided from the ground floor because significant work would be needed to bring the first floor back into safe use, including improvements to evacuation arrangements. This restricts the amount of space available for Family Hub activities and partner organisations. A recent survey has also found evidence of movement in part of the building, indicating possible subsidence.

We're proposing the following:

  • Parkwood becoming the main Family Hub and the largest location for delivering services. This would allow us to expand the offer using the space left vacant by the former nursery
  • East Borough Children’s Centre reopening as a Family Hub, providing an additional purpose-built location
  • Greenfields, Westborough and Southborough Family Hubs continuing to support families across the district, alongside services delivered in town-centre locations and through community outreach.

How to get involved

We recommend you read the Consultation Document before responding to this consultation. We are keen to hear your views on our proposals and how any changes may affect you.

To take part in the consultation, please complete the online questionnaire.

Alternatively, you may wish to fill in a Word/paper version and return it by email: maidstonefh@kent.gov.uk or you can post it or hand it in to InfoZone Family Hub, 3 Palace Avenue, Maidstone ME15 6NF.

If you have any questions, please contact us on maidstonefh@kent.gov.uk or 03000 419 470.

Next steps

Following the end of the consultation, we will review all responses, update the Equality Impact Assessment (if needed), and prepare a consultation report to help inform the final decision.

The consultation report, updated EqIA and committee papers are expected to be considered by the Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Cabinet Committee in early 2027.

If the proposal is approved, the Family Hubs team will contact families, young people, carers, staff and partners. We will provide advance information about the implementation timetable, service locations and offers, town-centre outreach, travel and accessibility arrangements, and any temporary provision needed during the transition.

  • Have your say!

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    As with all our consultations a Word version of the questionnaire is available from the consultation webpage for people who would prefer not to complete the online version. 

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