Council is providing a one-stop-shop for families with young children in Knox by entering into a lease with Interchange Outer East to provide allied health services in our Children and Family Centres at Bayswater and Wantirna South.
Council's centres already deliver early years services to the local community, including childcare, kindergarten, maternal and child health and supported and community playgroups.
The new lease will expand the services to include occupational therapy, physiotherapy and counselling.
Knox Mayor, Cr Lisa Cooper said Council's vision for our centres has always been to provide free or low cost family support services for the community.
"This is a big milestone for Council and fulfils our vision to be flexible and provide holistic support to families and children at our two early years centres," she said.
"This allied health provider brings 30 years of experience and is an NDIS provider already supporting families in the Knox community. Interchange Outer East will now be able to support more families through a range of programs at our centres.
"As a not-for-profit organisation, Interchange Outer East are committed to providing low or no cost services through the NDIS and Medicare.
"The inclusion of allied health services for children means the community can access even more specialist support for children and families in one location.
"This provides convenience for local families, easy referral pathways and the opportunity for Council staff at the centres to build relationships with other onsite professionals to support the best outcomes for children and their families in Knox."
Establishing allied health programs within our centres reflects Council's priority to support children to have the best possible start to life.
