Coventry City Council: Building a comprehensive support system for families

Coventry City Council, along with the multiagency partnership, has developed a city-wide model of integrated family support through eight Family Hub locations. These hubs combine the national Family Hub and Start for Life framework with local innovation, offering accessible, evidence-based support from conception through to age 19 (and up to 24 for those with SEND)

Since receiving £4.4 million in government funding in 2022, the council has reached over 204,000 people. Services range from birth registration and parenting programmes to mental health support and crisis assistance. The model is rooted in partnership working, community engagement and a commitment to inclusivity.

Coventry is one of only 13 trailblazer sites nationally, recognised for its ambitious and innovative delivery. The programme has attracted national attention, including visits from Dame Andrea Leadsom and senior officials from the Department for Education. Coventry also showcased its work in Parliament in summer 2024.

Walking into that place changed my life; it felt like magic. Everyone was kind, and for the first time, I truly felt at home.” — Lewinsky, parent

Coventry’s ambition was to become a trailblazer city for family support. The programme was built on “Child Friendly Cov” a shared belief that every child deserves the best start in life. 

The council set out to create one-stop-shop Family Hubs that would offer seamless support, reduce isolation, promote early development, and empower parents to shape services. Eight Family Hubs now operate across the city, each offering a warm, welcoming space where families can access advice, activities and community connections. 

The hubs are designed to be safe spaces, offering both practical help and a sense of belonging. From January 2023 to March 2025, over 204,000 people accessed the 50,748 activities that have been available at the hubs, whilst over 28,000 families accessed services within the Start for Life Offer. 

The hubs provide a wide range of services under one roof. Families can access parenting guidance, relationship counselling, stay-and-play sessions, Baby and Me groups, health clinics, financial advice, employment support, sensory rooms, emergency supplies, Citizens Advice, clothing rails and practical items like power banks and first aid kits.

Recognising that not all families can visit in person, Coventry launched the Coventry Families Portal in June 2024. The site has already attracted over 7,000 users and 78,000 page views, offering 24/7 access to support and information and the Family Hub offer. The portal uses AI and automation to improve accessibility and user experience.

Family Hub practitioners also work in more than 40 community spaces across the city, including libraries, food hubs, social supermarkets and hospital wards. Over 50 local services - spanning public, voluntary, community and faith sectors - are part of the Family Hub network.

The Start for Life programme has been central to Coventry’s approach. In just over two years (Jan 2023 – March 2025), 691 parents chose to register their newborns at Family Hubs, and 3,815 expectant and new parents took part in the Bumps, Baby and Beyond programme. In the same period, 32,000 Start for Life brochures were distributed to parents of children in the first 1,001 days, whilst the city’s Baby Week attracted 550 families in 2024. 

Coventry also strengthened emotional wellbeing support, delivering nearly 2,000 health interventions for parents in the first 1,001 days. A specialist Health Visiting Team uses Video Interaction Guidance, and peer support groups run in hubs, community settings and online. Programmes like Fatherhood Solutions and MAMTA ensure inclusive support for dads and BAME women.

I really value this group course about managing emotions. It feels very supportive and healthy to talk about very real challenges we face in everyday life in this safe group.” — Parent, perinatal mental health group

Evidence-based parenting programmes have reached over 1,600 parents. The Five to Thrive programme trained 327 professionals in trauma-informed practice, with 100% of participants reporting increased confidence and knowledge in supporting their baby’s brain development and emotional regulation. Online Solihull Approach courses and the Nurture Programme have helped parents build stronger relationships and feel more confident in their parenting.

Early learning is also a key focus. The ‘50 Things to Do Before You’re 5’ app has supported over 4,000 parents to play and interact with their children. Family Learning workshops and training for early years settings have helped parents feel more confident supporting their child’s development.

Coventry’s Parent Voice Network now includes over 320 members, with strong representation from Black and ethnic minority communities and fathers. The network meets both in person and online, with translated materials and multilingual engagement. Surveys show 98% satisfaction and 95% feeling a strong sense of community, while outreach has increased awareness and willingness to engage. Parents also report feeling more confident navigating support and more connected to their communities.

A key strength of Coventry’s Family Hub model is its close integration with health services, ensuring families receive joined-up support from pregnancy through to early childhood. Midwifery, health visiting, and the Family Nurse Partnership are embedded within the Start for Life offer, providing continuity of care and early intervention. Families can access developmental reviews, breastfeeding support, and emotional wellbeing services through the hubs, with the infant feeding team and perinatal mental health practitioners working alongside early years professionals to offer holistic care.

Support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is also built into the model. Coventry’s SEND Early Years Team includes specialist teachers, portage workers and support staff who work directly with families, early years settings and nurseries. They provide tailored support at home and in educational settings, helping children with developmental challenges access inclusive learning environments. The team also offers training and guidance to practitioners and parents, ensuring early identification and intervention are central to the city’s approach.

In addition to health and education services, Family Hubs connect families with a wider network of support across the city. Housing advice and support is available through partners like P3, helping families facing homelessness or insecure accommodation. Employment and skills support is provided via Coventry’s Job Shop, offering personalised guidance on job searches, applications and training. Other activities available at the hubs include bookable appointments with the Health Hub (Coventry’s healthy lifestyles service), enrichment activities and mentoring for children and young people aged 7–19, young carers groups and tailored support for teenage parents.

Michael’s journey with the Family Hub began during one of the most difficult periods of his life. His 15-month-old son had been taken into care due to concerns about his parenting, and he was determined to make changes. Through the Family Hub, Michael enrolled in several parenting programmes, including the Nurture Programme, Five to Thrive, and the Solihull Approach online course.

These sessions helped him understand child development more deeply and recognise the importance of love, play and connection in building a secure attachment. He learned how to spot signs of distress and potential abuse, and how to respond with empathy and care. The courses also gave him the opportunity to connect with other parents, share experiences and build a support network.

Michael worked closely with a social worker throughout the process, and Family Hub staff were consistently understanding and non-judgemental. They helped him reflect on his parenting style and supported him to make lasting changes. Five months later, his parenting assessment had a positive outcome. His son returned home, and together they established new routines focused on warmth, safety and play.

Today, Michael has been asked to become a Parent Champion, using his experience to support other fathers who may be facing similar challenges.

I am grateful for the support I received from the Family Hubs, as I wouldn’t have reached this point without their help.”
— Michael, parent

Coventry’s Family Hub model continues to evolve, with a clear set of priorities for the year ahead. The council plans to expand birth registration to all hubs and grow Baby Week 2025, building on strong community awareness and high satisfaction.

A key focus will be strengthening the community offer, particularly through the development of “early help hubs” in schools. This aims to reach families who have not yet accessed support through existing Family Hubs. The city also plans to build on its work with fathers, extending inclusive practice beyond the first 1,001 days to ensure all services reflect the needs of dads.

Digital access remains a priority, with further investment in the Coventry Families Portal. The council is exploring how automation and AI can enhance the platform, making it easier for families to find and access support.

Coventry is also committed to embedding parent and carer voice more deeply into service design. Plans include co-producing the Family Hub offer with families, developing volunteering pathways and exploring opportunities for qualifications.

Targeted support for vulnerable groups will be expanded, including children impacted by homelessness, families with children with SEND, families from the global majority, children not actively engaged in education, and those living in poverty. Workforce development will continue, with a focus on skill mix, multi-agency training, and ensuring empathy remains central to practice.

Evaluation is another priority. Coventry will continue contributing to regional and national evaluations, sharing best practice and learning through robust measurement of outcomes. A new delivery plan will be submitted by March 2025, setting out how future funding will be used to meet programme objectives.

Strategic commitment remains strong, with support from senior leaders across the council, Integrated Care Board, elected members, and partners in health, education, social care and the voluntary sector. Coventry also continues to work closely with the National Centre for Family Hubs and the Start for Life Unit, aligning with national branding and policy direction.

Jane Moffat, 
Operational Lead for Early Help 
[email protected]