Innovation in local government is about improving the lives of the people in our
communities. Browse through our case studies to see the many innovative programmes councils are involved
in.
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.
Despite not having received Family Hubs and Start for Life programme funding, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) and Westminster City Council wanted to strengthen the delivery of their Start for Life Offer through increased integration and formalisation of services.
Supporting new and expectant parents as they make the transition into parenthood is crucial for providing babies with the best start in life. The Family Hub and Start for Life Programme in Wolverhampton includes various workstreams, all focused on providing supportive and inclusive parenting support and community outreach initiatives.
Barnsley’s Family Hub network works across the borough to ensure families receive the right support in the right place at the right time. A central part of the Family Hubs offer is support for parents. The approach is rooted in the belief that stronger parent–child relationships lead to better outcomes for children, and that early support should be available in familiar, local settings, without judgement.
In June 2025, Dudley Council launched a new spoke within its Family Hub Network at Halesowen Leisure Centre, marking a significant step in expanding access to integrated support for families.
This case study examines how Torbay Council and its partners developed robust data sharing arrangements across three agencies to improve Family Hub service delivery. It highlights practical steps including establishing a shared vision and transitioning from separate IT systems to a single centralised platform, offering valuable lessons for other local authorities implementing multi-agency data sharing.
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
The Mandarin Mums session at the Isle of Dogs Family Hub is an innovative, culturally tailored initiative designed to support Mandarin-speaking families in the Southeast Locality of Tower Hamlets. This case study outlines the pressing need identified within the local community and details how the session effectively addressed these challenges, fostering inclusion, wellbeing, and empowerment.
The development and implementation of the Enhanced Infant Feeding Service provide a community-based frenotomy clinic across LLR, developed through partnership between Family Hubs, LPT, and the ICB.
Fantastic 2s began in late 2016 as a small pilot – and nine years on, it’s still going strong! The programme was born out of a clear need: the uptake of free early education places was worryingly low.