Research indicates that the crucial 1,001 days from conception to a child’s second birthday are pivotal for cognitive, emotional, and physical growth. In March 2021, the government released ‘Best Start for Life: A Vision for the 1,001 Critical Days’, outlining six key areas for enhancing support for families during this vital phase. A significant investment of £300 million has been allocated to assist families in 75 local authorities, particularly those facing higher deprivation levels. Each of these authorities has established a family hub, adding to approximately 400 hubs now operational across England. These hubs serve as comprehensive resources, offering a variety of universal and specialized services for families with children aged 0-19 and up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). By centralizing support, family hubs simplify access for families and facilitate collaboration among professionals to deliver integrated support and timely information.
Key Services Offered by Family Hubs
Family hubs are designed as accessible venues for face-to-face assistance from a wide range of services. While the specific offerings may vary based on local needs, typical services include midwifery, health visiting, infant feeding consultations, parenting workshops, and perinatal mental health resources. The focus is primarily on families with children aged 0 to 2, ensuring that every baby receives a solid foundation for their future. Expectant parents and those caring for children aged 0-19 or young adults with SEND can also access support through these hubs.
Funding for the Start for Life Programme
The government has allocated approximately £300 million to bolster services for families through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. This funding is divided into several areas: £170 million is dedicated to essential services during the critical 1,001 days, including £100 million for enhancing perinatal mental health and parent-infant connection, £50 million to establish infant feeding support services tailored to local demands, and additional funds to ensure that parents’ views are considered in service delivery and to pilot innovative workforce models for family services.
How Does This Initiative Compare to Sure Start?
The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme builds upon the experiences of the Sure Start initiative by delivering an expanded array of services—all under one roof—to support families with children of all ages. However, this new programme places a stronger emphasis on the early years, acknowledging the evidence that these foundational days critically shape lifelong development. Notably, current spending on early years initiatives exceeds historical Sure Start spending markedly, signalling a robust commitment to enhancing child welfare through comprehensive support.
Future Expansion of Family Hubs
The government aspires to see family hubs established nationwide, urging all local authorities in England to work toward the Start for Life Vision. Currently, the focus remains on enhancing services for families in the initial 75 targeted localities while gathering evidence to inform future expansions and optimizations of support methods.