This section brings together practical guidance, tools and case studies to support effective partnership working with the VCFSE sector. It also includes links to pre‑recorded webinars that share learning, examples of good practice and insights from areas already embedding VCFSE partnerships within family hubs.
Previous Webinars hosted by National centre for Family Hubs
Harnessing the Power of Faith: Government Partnerships for Families
An inspiring session with ChurchWorks - an independent commission representing 16 major Christian denominations, dedicated to helping churches work hand-in-hand with government to support society’s most vulnerable. Since 2022, ChurchWorks has recognised the unique value of faith groups as key partners in the delivery of Family Hubs. Earlier this year, they launched the Family Hubs Toolkit - a practical, inspiring guide designed to equip churches and local authorities to collaborate effectively and offer life-changing support for families. Accompanying slides are available on the Knowledge Hub Home - LGA National Centre for Family Hubs - Knowledge Hub
Collaborating with Faith-Based Services Supporting Children and Families
The Faith-Based Mapping Project (Gather Movement): Piloted in Oldham, mapping 384 services supporting children and families and aligned with Annex F Family Hub service guidelines. Now extended across 28 local authorities.- Ongoing Engagement with the Faith Sector: Coordinating delivery through a Faith Leaders Steering Team and hosting celebration events that build relationships and visibility. Accompanying slides are available on the Knowledge Hub Home - LGA National Centre for Family Hubs - Knowledge Hub
Resources
NHS England – Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Partnerships
National guidance outlining the role of the VCSE sector as a strategic partner in improving outcomes, tackling inequalities and shaping service design across health and care systems.
NHS England VCSE partnerships
Actions to Support Partnership with the VCSE Sector (The King’s Fund / NHS England)
A detailed report identifying practical actions to address barriers and strengthen partnership working with the VCFSE sector, including commissioning, data sharing and system leadership.
Actions to support partnership
Toolkit: Partnership Working with the Voluntary and Community Sector (LGA)
A practical toolkit setting out how councils can build strong, sustainable strategic relationships with voluntary and community organisations to improve local outcomes.
Partnership working with the voluntary and community sector
Healthy Faith Settings Toolkits – Engaging Faith Communities (LGA Case Study)
A case study and toolkit demonstrating how local authorities can work effectively with faith organisations to improve outreach, engagement and health outcomes in diverse communities.
Healthy Faith Settings toolkits case study
Faiths Working Together Toolkit (Inter Faith Network / Near Neighbours)
A practical resource to support collaboration across faith groups and communities, including principles and steps for building relationships and joint community action.
Faiths Working Together Toolkit
Greater Manchester Live Well
Greater Manchester’s Live Well approach is a place‑based, partnership model that brings together public services, the VCFSE sector and communities to provide joined‑up, preventative support at neighbourhood level. It focuses on reducing inequalities and shifting from crisis response to early intervention, with a strong emphasis on community‑led solutions and trusted local organisations.
https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/live-well/
Family Hubs and VCSE Partnerships – Manchester Case Study (Making Manchester Fairer)
This case study demonstrates how Manchester has embedded voluntary, community and faith organisations within its family hub model through co‑location, small grants funding and culturally specific programmes, enabling more effective engagement with diverse communities and improving access for families experiencing inequality.
Voluntary and Faith Organisations Working with Family Hubs and Early Help
Barnardo’s – Family Hubs and Family Centres
Barnardo’s is the UK’s largest children’s charity and delivers and partners in family hubs and family centres across the country, supporting early help, perinatal care, parenting support and whole‑family wellbeing.
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/work-with-us/commission-us/health/family-hubs
Action for Children – Family Support and Early Help Services
Action for Children delivers community‑based family support and early help services in partnership with local authorities, including work linked to family hubs and integrated support models.
http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/
Home‑Start UK
Home‑Start is a national voluntary organisation providing peer support to families with young children through trained volunteers, often working alongside family hubs and community early help services.
https://www.home-start.org.uk/
The Salvation Army – Community and Family Support
The Salvation Army is a faith‑based organisation delivering practical family support through community hubs, including food, advice, parenting support and crisis intervention, frequently in partnership with local authorities.
http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/
ChurchWorks – Faith Sector Family Hubs Toolkit
ChurchWorks provides a practical toolkit and case studies supporting churches and faith groups to work in partnership with local authorities to support family hubs and community family support.
https://www.churchworks.org.uk/family-hubs-toolkit/1-introduction https://www.churchworks.org.uk/family-hubs-toolkit/1-introduction
Gather Movement
A national network bringing together churches, charities and civic partners to work collaboratively at a local level, supporting community transformation and strengthening connections between faith groups, public services and voluntary organisations to improve outcomes for families and communities.
Family Hubs Network – Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector Engagement
The Family Hubs Network supports local authorities and voluntary, community and faith organisations to share learning and good practice in the development and delivery of family hubs.
https://familyhubsnetwork.com/
Home‑Office Connected Places: Faith and Community Networks
National and local faith networks often provide trusted access points for families facing disadvantage and are frequently involved in food provision, advice, parenting support and early help pathways.
https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Voluntary%20and%20Community%20Sector.pdf
Daniel’s Den
A community‑based charity delivering local parent and toddler groups that provide a welcoming, supportive space for families to connect, build relationships and access informal early help, helping reduce isolation and strengthen community networks.