The objectives of the Lancashire Family Hubs Networks are, to support the wider Lancashire Children Young People and Families Partnership long-term vision, in providing a universal family support service where mothers, fathers, carers, children, young people and families, can access the early help and support they need to build stronger and more resilient families.
The challenge
Lancashire is a large and complex Local Authority comprising of 12 districts, with 12 District Councils and a wide variety of different services providing services for families, within each area. Lancashire was not funded by the Department for Education for the implementation of Family Hubs and therefore the focus was on developing networks of services and practitioners able to respond in a more joined up way to local needs.
The solution
Lancashire has been able to draw on the strengths of already existing networks in Lancashire and the considerable Early Help offer already in place to cement the Family Hubs Networks within the districts. Commitment from the partners and services has enabled Lancashire's Family Hubs to get off to a great start.
Working individually with the 12 districts, the team engaged the district councils and the community, voluntary and faith sectors as a priority, in recognition of their considerable knowledge and the support they have established within the local communities. Lancashire also set up regular engagement and communications with their strategic partners around the Family Hubs model framework. User Research was then undertaken to help us shape what the Family Hubs in Lancashire would look like. Lancashire closely followed the Department for Education guidance and linked with other Local Authority peers who had received the funding, to ensure they were delivering to the required standards. Lancashire then began a mapping exercise. Using a tool, developed to map the required Annex F service expectations, has supported the network to understand the geographical service delivery, highlighting gaps and areas of good practice.
Lancashire used the following principles for their work:
- Access: Ensuring that virtual and outreach offers are simple and understandable for families, children and young people at local level.
- Connections: Joining up professionals, services and all providers through co-location, info sharing, shared outcomes and performance monitoring and governance.
- Relationships: Building on family strengths, improving relationships between services and families to address underlying issues. Supporting families and young people to feel invested in their local services.
The impact (including cost savings/income generated if applicable)
The impact will continue to be measured as Family Hubs evolve and grow, through a locally developed 'Family Hubs Performance Dashboard'. Notably, footfall generally and group attendance has seen a significant increase. Partners are actively seeking to deliver services from Family Hubs and are becoming fully booked with multi agency partner delivery. New initiatives and partnerships are formed weekly enhancing provision and services for families. Website/social media and Facebook presence is increasing, with pages promoting services and initiatives network wide.
Family Hubs will continue to measure and understand both the qualitative and quantitative impact on reach, participation, quality, and customer satisfaction.
How is the new approach being sustained?
There are now 12 existing Family Hub Networks across Lancashire with 29 Family Hubs now launched. Led by the County Council's Early Help Service - Children and Family Wellbeing Service, the Family Hubs Programme will continue to evolve, grow and develop over time.
Lessons learned
In a large and diverse county like Lancashire, the benefits of freeing local practitioners to investigate, understand and develop solutions that fit their local needs and contexts and navigate the service expectation set out for Family Hubs using (Annex F) as a guide.
Contact: Christine Nuttall - [email protected]