Case studies

The Isle of Wight Family Hubs enhanced antenatal support by integrating maternity services with Family Hub programmes, notably the evidence-based “Welcome to the World.” This initiative improved early engagement, increased parental confidence, and strengthened pathways to postnatal services. Midwives refer families via Badgernet at 16 weeks, boosting access to workshops and support. Data shows rising participation and improved parental wellbeing, especially among underrepresented group

Recognising that helping families across the whole of Cambridgeshire could lead to better outcomes, Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council began working together on an Early Years Strategy in 2017, in partnership with colleagues across the children’s health system and communities.

We know that all too often families are left to work out for themselves not only what help they need, but also where to find it. Northumberland’s review discovered that there was no centralised source of information available to parents or carers about their child's development during pregnancy and until the age of two. Upon joining the Family Hub and Start for Life programme, Northumberland set about creating a one-stop shop so that every parent and carer can access the support they need when they need it.

Coventry City Council, along with the multiagency partnership, has developed a city-wide model of integrated family support through eight Family Hub locations.

Middlesbrough’s Family Hubs are shaping a parenting offer that is easy to access, relational, and woven through day-to-day early years practice in the borough.

Using provision and support mapping to create an Under Fives Speech, Language and Communication Strategy: Brighter Futures for Children (Reading LA) used the Best Start in SLCN guidance to create an under-fives strategy to support the development of improving SLCN to have an impact on children’s outcomes.

Liverpool City Council’s Parenting Team coordinated the expansion of the programme, working with schools, Family Hubs, children’s centres, prisons, and community organisations. Through coproduction, outreach, and targeted training, staff across the city were supported to become parent group facilitators, by training to deliver the 10-week group-based Programme.

Supporting young people to stay in education, employment or training in East Sussex

Two early years leads at Solihull Council, Jane Glassey (early years SEND lead) and Lisa Morris (Team Manager), share the innovative ways their council is approaching the provision of early years special education needs and disabilities (SEND) support. The council’s approach focuses heavily on collaboration with settings and partners to provide the most effective support to the children who need it. Below are some of the key areas they are focusing on to do this:

The London Borough of Redbridge has commissioned a healthy bus service to offer health checks and other services in community locations.