What is a Best Start Family Hub?

A Best Start Family Hub is a welcoming, free space for families. You can ask for help, meet other parents and find out about other support services near you.

They bring together health, education and family support services under one roof, so you do not have to go to lots of different places to get help. That means play sessions, feeding advice, mental health help and money guidance – at no cost.

If the nearest hub isn’t convenient, network sites in community venues such as nurseries, health centres and libraries will ensure that support is available in places where families already go.

Who can go?

Anyone can go to a Best Start Family Hub. They are for all families.

They are especially helpful if you have a baby or young child. But you can also get support if your children are older – up to the age of 19.

If your child has special educational needs or a disability (SEND), you can use the hub for support up to the age of 25.

What can I get help with?

You can go along and get help with all sorts of things, including:

• Play sessions and early learning activities for babies and toddlers
• Feeding, sleep and routine advice without needing a clinic appointment
• A safe space to talk about low mood, anxiety or stress
• Help checking benefits, childcare funding and cost of living support
• Guidance if you are worried about speech, language or development
• Support with finding childcare, preparing for school and key transitions

Every hub is a little different, but all of them offer a friendly welcome and a range of free support.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. Best Start Family Hubs are completely free.

Do I need to book?

Most hubs welcome drop-ins so you can just turn up. Some sessions may need you to sign up in advance. It’s best to check with your local hub to find out more.

Is there one near me?

Best Start Family Hubs are opening across England.

The aim is to create a national network of up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs and 2,000 connected services, across England by the end of 2028.

If you already have a Family Hub or Children’s Centre where you live, it may offer even more help under the new Best Start Family Hubs programme.

As well as the main hub, there will be smaller network sites in local spaces – like nurseries, Children’s Centres, community centres, GP surgeries or libraries – where you can get support closer to home.

I can’t access a hub in person – can I find this support online?

The Best Start in Life website gives you quick access to trusted advice and support for your child’s development – from pregnancy to childcare right through to starting school.

As well as finding your local Best Start Family Hub and local council, you can also use the childcare checker to find out what childcare support you could get, how much childcare might cost, and search for providers near you.

What other help or support can I get through a hub?

The hub is a good starting point if you are not sure where to get help.

The hub works closely with local NHS services – like health visitors and midwives – as well as schools, nurseries and other organisations in your area. This means you can get joined-up help in one place, rather than having to contact lots of different people in lots of different places.

For example, staff can point you towards further support like a health visitor, a local nursery or a service that can help with things like housing or money worries.

You do not need to know what you need before you go. The team there will help you work it out.

My child has additional needs – can they get support?

Absolutely. Each Best Start Family Hub will have a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to support children with additional needs. They will:

• Spot if a child might need a bit of extra help before they start school
• Help parents find local services, and support
• Help staff recognise early signs that a child might need extra support
• Guide parents through services, so things feel less confusing

Who runs Best Start Family Hubs?

Your local council is responsible for the Best Start Family Hub in your area. Your council may run the hub directly or through another organisation such as a school or voluntary and community sector provider. Your council decides where the hub is based, working with the local community, making sure it is in a part of the area where families need it most.

Each council also puts together a local offer shaped with and for local families. This sets out what support is available in your area and how it will improve over time.

Are these different from Family Hubs or Sure Start centres?

Best Start Family Hubs are part of the government’s commitment to give every child the best start in life. The government gives councils the money and support to run Best Start Family Hubs in their local areas.

You may have heard of Sure Start Centres or the previous Family Hubs programme. Best Start Family Hubs build on the best of these to make one joined-up and easy to use support system for families across the country.