LGA calls for Family Hub extension

The Local Government Association has called for Family Hubs to be extended across all councils.

The government has announced that Family Hubs are now open in 75 local authority areas.

The hubs provide a range of services in one location and act as a ‘one stop shop’ for parents and children. Staff are there to provide practical help including early language and communication development, mental health support for parents and carers, and programmes for improving children’s home development.

Education secretary, Gillian Keegan said: "Family hubs act as one-stop-shops and provide a universal offer to parents and families to provide them with extra support when they need it.

"This support is on hand for parents and carers from conception through to those teenage years. I’ve seen first-hand how important it is that families are able to build confidence and aren’t made to jump through hoops, explaining their situation to professionals over and over.

"That’s why through family hubs, along with our reforms to childcare and children’s social care, we’re making sure that the right support is available for families in the way that works best for them."

Responding to the announcement, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said: “It is good news that new family hubs are open for people who need them and this is a testament to the hard work of councils.

“Family hubs represent an important opportunity for councils to support families and to help them gain access to a range of vital services in their communities.

“We’d now like to see this scheme extended to all councils so these transformative benefits can be felt across the country.”