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Written question asked by Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 21 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Family Hubs

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, following their recent announcement to provide funding for Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority, what assessment they have made of the case for putting these new services in legislation to ensure that they are recognised as a key public service.

Answer

On 7 July 2025, the government published ‘Giving every child the best start in life’. This outlines the government’s commitment to deliver a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services, as well as creating and funding Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services. The department will provide over half a billion pounds of investment in the Best Start Family Service over the 2026 to 2029 spending review period.

Best Start Family Hubs will bring together professionals from health, education, early years, and community services, prioritising delivery in areas of disadvantage, where families face the greatest barriers to support. Each Best Start Family Hub will have a children and family services professional specifically trained in working to support inclusion for children with additional needs.

We will also explore whether a more detailed outcomes framework under the Best Start in Life umbrella, drawing on the lessons of Every Child Matters, would improve join up among services locally.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9257
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Family hubs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk