Giving every child the best start in life

From April 2026, a new government initiative to support families comes to every Local Authority with Best Start in Life Family Hubs. These Family Hubs will provide essential services including parenting support, healthcare, and early education under one roof. The goal is to improve child development outcomes and reduce disparities, particularly for disadvantaged families, by making support more accessible and coordinated across local services.

Giving Every Child The Best Start In Life in bold text

This module provides

  • An overview of the policy of Best Start in Life
  • A summary of the six action areas to embed the Best Start in Life Strategy.
  • An overview of other relevant policy and practice initiatives: Families First guidance, NHS 10-year plan, the national youth strategy, the upcoming education white paper.
  • Links to further resources

Best Start in Life policy context

  • March 2021 - The former Conservative Government published the Best Start for Life: a Vision for the 1,0001 days, led by Dame Andrea Leadsom.
  • August 2022 - Family Hubs and Start for Life guidance published in August. Funding for 75 Local Authorities to develop Family Hubs was provided.
  • Transformation funding for 12 local authorities
  • The current Labour Government set out in its Plan for Change that 75 per cent of children age 5 will achieve a Good Level of Development, underpinned by it’s mission-driven Government and the Opportunity Mission.
  • July 2025 – The Government set out the Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy, which committed to rolling out Family Hubs to all local authorities by April 2026, the expectation on councils to produce a best start plan, and gave local targets on the GLD.
Baby crawling towards a safety gate

Best Start in Life Antenatal offer: IOW Family Hubs Parenting Support

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

Toddler feet

Barnsley’s Integrated Family Hub Parenting Offer

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.

MyGo – Youth Employment Service

Blackpool Council: Youth work and family hubs

Blackpool Council has developed a unique campus model for delivering integrated services to children, young people, and families. This model is built around three Family Hubs located in the north, central, and south areas of Blackpool.

Highlighted pages

National Centre for Family Hubs