Southampton families to benefit from government funding boost

Southampton City Council has been chosen as one of seventy-five local authorities to receive funding from the Department for Education to support the development of a Family Hub network in the city as part of the Start for Life programme.

Over the next two years, Southampton’s Family Hub network will bring services together to provide a holistic offer that will support families with key issues such as infant feeding, perinatal mental health and supporting parents to create a home environment where their children can develop, learn and thrive.

The new Family Hubs will run from the existing Sure Start Centre located across Southampton and will offer support to families from conception to the age of nineteen years old, or up to twenty-five for those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Starting in spring 2023, an extensive offer - including midwifery, health visiting, support with accessing employment, parenting support and play services - will provide parents and carers with the tools to nurture their babies and children, helping to improve health and education outcomes for all.

Councillor Darren Paffey, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, said:

“We’re thrilled that Southampton has been chosen to receive funding to develop the Family Hub network across the city. By providing this ‘one stop shop’, professionals and services will be able to work together to improve health and education outcomes and ensure earlier identification and provision of support for children, young people and their families.

We hope that by making services more accessible for families, children and young people will be able to achieve the best start in life and live healthier, happier lives.”

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-hubs-and-start-for-life-programme.