Chapter 1 - better support for families
We want to make it easier for everybody to get high quality family support at the right time, reduce inequalities, and give every child the best start in life.
Welcoming, inclusive spaces
Families need safe, friendly places where they feel comfortable, can meet others, and access support without judgment.
What are we doing?
- We have a network of Children's Centres and Best Start Family Hubs open as warm, welcoming spaces.
- Drop-in sessions like Pop in and Play, clothing banks, and lending libraries.
- Making sure every new family gets a tour of their local hub when attending a health appointment, including in the antenatal period.
- Having SEND trained professionals in every Family Hub to help parents.
- Listening to all parents and carers to keep improving - for example through Parent Carer Panels.
- Extra help for families who need it.
What this means:
- Parents will find safe, friendly places to meet other parents and get support.
- No family will be turned away.
- If parents need extra help, we will be there to guide you.
Clear, easy-to-find Information
Parents often say it's hard to know what help is available. We want to make it simple.
What are we doing?
- Communicating our clear local parent pathway through our Best Start In Life brochure with everything you need from conception to Reception. All families will receive this in the antenatal period, or can collect one themselves from a local family hub.
- Evolving our family hub activities in response to local needs and feedback.
- Delivering evidence based public health advice and interventions.
What this means:
- One clear place for all the information parents need, that is designed around the parent.
- Easy access online or in print.
- Evidence based support that will help parents and their child.
Joined-up support
Families shouldn't have to go from service to service or repeat their story. Parents often say it's hard to know what help is available. We want to make it simple.
What are we doing?
- Bringing services together under one roof: birth registration, midwives, health visitors, parenting support, SEND advice, infant feeding, mental health, speech and language, and even help with money and housing.
- Training Family Hub Navigators to guide you to the right help.
- Offering drop-ins, home visits, online support and community outreach.
- Working with all services, including: childcare, health services, education, family help, the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to understand how best to meet local community needs together.
- Parents are now invited to self-book their child’s 2–2½ year health visitor assessment and are sent the ASQ-3 questionnaire in advance, giving them time to complete it before the appointment.
What this means:
- One place for multiple services.
- Someone to guide you through the process.
- Easier booking and better access to health checks, vaccinations, and advice.
- Parents can now book their child’s 2–2½ year health visitor check at a convenient time and place, making it easier to attend and ensuring more children get access to early support
Support for parenting and early learning
We know parenting can be challenging, and early learning matters.
What are we doing?
- Offering proven evidence-based programmes.
- Helping with speech and language through communication and literacy activities.
- Reaching out to families in areas where support is needed most.
- Training staff in mental health, infant feeding, SEND support, and parenting programmes.
- Keeping services up to date and listening to parents through Parent Carer Panels.
- Offering a comprehensive timetable of sessions, designed to increase children’s development.
What this means:
- Free to access courses (funded by local government) to build confidence and support children’s development.
- Help with home learning and language skills.
- Parents build trusted relationships with professionals who offer non-judgmental support, are well-informed about local services, and can confidently access the right help at the right time.
- Parents voice helps shape the services we provide.
- Parents can either drop-in or look online at timetabled sessions delivered through their local Best Start Family Hub.