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by Zoë Varenne

The government has announced plans to roll out up to 1,000 family support centres across the country to provide wide-ranging help for families.

According to the Department for Education, the creation of new ‘Best Start Family Hubs’ will help give half a million more children the “best possible start in life” and are a key component of the government’s new Best Start in Life strategy.

The government’s plan, which will receive over £500 million in funding, is for a Best Start Family Hub to be rolled out in every local authority by April 2026, using the existing infrastructure of Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme. The government aims to create up to 1,000 hubs across the country by the end of 2028.

The Best Start Family Hubs will offer a range of support on topics ranging from difficulty breastfeeding to housing issues and children’s early development and language.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: â€œIt’s the driving mission of this government to break the link between a child’s background and what they go on to achieve – our new Best Start Family Hubs will put the first building blocks of better life chances in place for more children.

“I saw firsthand how initiatives like Sure Start helped level the playing field in my own community, transforming the lives of children by putting in place family support in the earliest years of life, and as part of our Plan for Change, we’re building on its legacy for the next generation of children.

“Making sure hard-working parents are able to benefit from more early help is a promise made, and promise kept – delivering a lifeline of consistent support across the nation, ensuring health, social care and education work in unison to ensure all children get the very best start in life.”

Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said: â€œWe know that children's centres and family hubs act as vital sources of advice and practical support for families – especially those more disadvantaged and vulnerable families. As such, we warmly welcome government plans to roll out family support services in every local authority.

"Of course, how this policy is implemented is key – and it's particularly crucial that these centres receive the funding they need to deliver comprehensive help and support to children and families, both now and in the future. 

"Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this is a very positive step, and we look forward to working with ministers to ensure that this initiative – and the wider Best Start in Life strategy – delivers the quality care, education and support that families need and deserve."