Government directs £12 million to boost Family Hub development in underserved areas

The government has announced £12 million in additional grant funding to help 65 underserved local areas develop Family Hub infrastructure under the Best Start Family Hubs programme.

The development funding will enable councils — including Devon County Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council — to identify suitable hub sites and prepare to deliver integrated early years and family support ahead of a full national rollout next year.

This latest round of investment builds on an existing £500 million national fund aimed at establishing 1,000 Family Hubs across England by 2028, with at least one in every local authority area by April 2026.

Funding allocations are based on the number of children within each local authority and must be spent by March 2026. Local authorities are expected to identify at least one hub site in an area of high deprivation by January 2026, with preparation underway to introduce parenting and home learning environment programmes for families with three- and four-year-olds from April 2026, according to Department for Education guidance.

The Best Start Family Hubs initiative aims to bring together health visitors, early years practitioners, and family support workers to provide joined-up services for families. Support will include parenting programmes, perinatal mental health services, and speech and language advice — all delivered in accessible, community-based settings.