New family contact centre in Worksop continues to take shape.
Improved facilities for some of the county’s most vulnerable young people are one step closer to reality, with a new roof now in place at the new, fit-for-purpose family contact centre in Worksop.
Named Harmony House, the centre will help deliver safeguarding services. This includes offering a safe, welcoming space for looked-after children and young people to have supervised family time with their birth families.
Work started on the new county council building in 2025 and is due to be completed by late summer this year.
The new building on Newgate Street will eventually replace the old residential bungalows used as the current contact centre nearby. These buildings do not best meet the needs of looked-after children and will eventually be demolished.
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Councillor Mick Barton and Councillor Rory Green, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, visited the site along with partners.
Commenting on building’s progress and what the new building will mean for vulnerable children and young people who need the support the most, Councillor Barton said:
“Supporting looked-after children, young people and their families in our communities is a key priority so we need to have the right facilities in place to help us do this. I’m delighted with the progress so far and look forward to when young people and families can start benefitting from these new facilities.”
Councillor Rory Green added:
“We are proud of this investment to create this fantastic, spacious building as it will soon be a place which will help support looked-after children and young people.
“We are also grateful for all the hard work which has gone into this building so far.”
Jenny Williams is the Children’s Service manager who oversees the council’s contact centres. She describes why this new build is a significant step forward for children and families, particularly those in the north of Nottinghamshire. She said:
“Harmony House will provide a safe, welcoming and dignified space where children who cannot live with their birth families can still spend meaningful and enjoyable time with them. For many children, contact time with their families is one of the most important and emotionally sensitive moments in their lives.
“This new centre will offer a calm, modern and child‑friendly environment that supports positive family connections while keeping children safe. It will mark a real improvement on the outdated facilities on the same site we currently have and will make a genuine difference."
The new building will also have two conference rooms, kitchens and contributes to the county council’s wider plans to move into more cost-efficient, fit for purpose buildings.
The new energy-efficient office, which will save on bills, is being designed, project and cost-managed by Arc Partnership and delivered through its construction partner G F Tomlinson.
Dan Maher, Managing Director at Arc Partnership, commented how family contact centres play a crucial role in providing safe, supportive environments for vulnerable children and young people. He said:
“We are proud to be delivering this vital new facility on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, providing design, project and cost management services. Our approach has focused on designing a warm, welcoming environment, while ensuring value for money."
