Spurgeons, a leading families charity with a long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families, today welcomed the government's announcement of a £500 million plan to roll out "Best Start" family hubs across every local authority in England.
Building on Family Hubs already established in over half of England’s local authorities, this new investment ensures all families can access support. With a focus on early childhood, aiming to ensure more children are ready to start school, the service will also help families with older children to get the right help when needed.
"We are incredibly encouraged by the government's renewed commitment to integrated family support through the expansion of family hubs," said Ian Soars, the charity’s CEO.
"For over 150 years, Spurgeons has been at the forefront of providing vital services that help families navigate complex challenges, from early years support and parenting advice to addressing domestic abuse and the impact of imprisonment. We know first-hand the profound difference that accessible, holistic support can make to a child's life chances and a family's wellbeing."
The charity has extensive experience in delivering and partnering on family hub models, including its role as Secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Family Hubs, which works to champion this distinct approach to accessing support for children and families in Westminster. Family Hubs are places where families can get the help they need, from a network of local services, delivered by public, community and private sector partners.
Spurgeons currently delivers Family Hubs in partnership with local authorities, churches, prisons, and schools across numerous areas, reaching tens of thousands of families annually. Our impact data consistently shows significant improvements in parenting confidence, emotional health, and children's behaviour in these settings. In our Wiltshire hub, we are able to reach more than 15,000 adults and 14,500 children, and over 90% of families have reported progress in two or more of the key areas such as their children’s health, behaviour and learning. The same is reflected in our work in Surrey, Birmingham, and in our counselling and parent support hubs.
"The concept of family hubs that bring together a diverse range of services – from midwifery and birth registration to debt advice and youth clubs – aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering families by providing support where and when they need it most," Ian added. "We have seen the effectiveness of this approach in our own work, ensuring that families receive joined-up care that addresses their multiple and often complex needs."
"We look forward to working collaboratively with the government, local authorities, and other charitable partners to ensure these 'Best Start' family hubs genuinely provide a 'lifeline' for families, particularly those in the most disadvantaged communities," Ian concluded. "Spurgeons stands ready to lend its expertise and continue its vital work in transforming the nation, one child at a time, by ensuring every family has the support needed to flourish."
