'Family hubs' now open as South West gets share of £300 million
The Government cash has been awarded to 4 locations in the West Country to help parents support their kids
Across the South West, parents are now able to access free help and support at 'local family hubs'.
There are 4 in the region involved in the Government scheme, which are said to centralise a range of vital services in one place.
They're said to act as a 'one stop shop' for parents and their children.
At these centres, trained staff will be able to provide practical help including early language and communication development, mental health support for parents and carers, and programmes for improving children’s home development.
It comes as the Government launches the new national Start for Life Little Moments Together campaign to help parents make the most of every moment with their kids.
Local authorities including Torbay, Bristol, Cornwall and Plymouth are some of the 75 local authorities in England allocated a share of around £300 million to embed the family hub approach and enhance Start for Life services across the country for families with children aged 0-19 years, and 0-25 years for children with SEND.
On top of this, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds are currently able to register to access 15 hours free childcare per week from April 2024, the first step in what's been called the 'largest investment in childcare in England’s history'.
'I've seen first-hand just how important it is'
Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said: “Family hubs act as one-stop-shops and provide a universal offer to parents and families to provide them with extra support when they need it.
“This support is on hand for parents and carers from conception through to those teenage years.
“I’ve seen first-hand how important it is that families are able to build confidence and aren’t made to jump through hoops, explaining their situation to professionals over and over.
“That’s why through family hubs, along with our reforms to childcare and children’s social care, we’re making sure that the right support is available for families in the way that works best for them.”
Minister for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary Care, Dame Andrea Leadsom said: “It is fantastic to see so many of these vital hubs within easy reach of families up and down the country.
“We’re committed to ensuring all parents get better access to help and support to improve their child’s learning and development, including learning at home.
“The free resources now available through the Little Moments Together campaign will provide vital tools to help parents ensure their baby is getting the best possible start in life.”
New findings have revealed that 82% of parents in South West are unaware that their child’s brain is 90% grown by the age of five, shedding light on a critical gap in parents’ understanding of the impact they can have in these crucial early years.
The research uncovered that parents prioritise activities like reading bedtime stories (71 per cent) and playing with toys (70 per cent) for their child's language and communication skills. Yet, everyday moments are often overlooked, which is why the campaign focuses on the importance of day-to-day activities such as the daily routine around the house.
Parents can find their nearest Family Hub using the Government's postcode finder.
You can find out more about family hubs and early language development support here.