The government is launching up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs across England by 2028, aiming to support 500,000 more children and ease the pressures of parenting. Every local authority
will host at least one hub by April 2026, backed by over £500 million in funding.
These hubs will act as one-stop shops for families, offering support with breastfeeding, early childhood development, housing, mental health, and more. They will provide easy access to health, education, and wellbeing services—especially for families currently cut off from support networks.
This move builds on the legacy of Sure Start and expands the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. The hubs will also offer parenting groups, emotional support services, and direct access to help for vulnerable families—preventing issues from escalating.
The initiative includes a new digital platform linking families to local support and the NHS App, streamlining access to advice and services.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of early intervention, promising this rollout will boost school readiness, reduce child poverty, and improve long-term outcomes for children.
Local councils will be tasked with setting targets to improve early development, forming a central part of the upcoming Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said:
“It’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”.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“Every child – no matter their background – deserves the best start in life. I know what it’s like to grow up in a family where work is low-paid and insecure, and I know the power of a good support network.
That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, rolling out these Best Start Family Hubs are so vital – one stop shops offering parents not only crucial connections with other families but also the health, education and wellbeing support they need.
By bringing together early support services and investing £500 million in children’s development, we’re taking preventative action that will improve lives and reduce pressure on the NHS – a key part of our 10 Year Health Plan”.