Wolverhampton launches new plan to support families from pregnancy to early childhood
Best Start in Life plan aims to streamline access to services
The City of Wolverhampton Council has published its Best Start in Life plan, aiming to transform family services by providing support from pregnancy through early childhood.
The initiative seeks to streamline the process for families requiring help, making it easier for parents and young children across the city to access assistance.
The plan responds to new national guidance from the UK Government that advises councils on delivering family support through Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies services over the next three years as part of the Families First for Children Pathfinder programme.
In Wolverhampton, the focus is on facilitating early intervention and simplifying the process for families seeking assistance, thereby preventing the escalation of issues.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, highlighted the significance of publishing the Best Start in Life plan as part of efforts to improve family support across Wolverhampton.
“The publication of our Best Start in Life plan is an important step in our work around continuing to improve support for families across Wolverhampton," Coogan said.
"It outlines the next steps to developing a ‘Best Start City’ through providing support and intervention earlier, collaborating across sectors, and focusing on what matters most to families."
The council’s approach includes rebranding Family Hubs as Best Start Family Hubs, consolidating various support services for parents and children from pregnancy up until a child begins school.
Alison Hinds, Executive Director of Families, described the Best Start in Life plan as offering a strategic overview and vision for enhanced family services.
Hinds stated, “Our shared ambition is for more of our babies, children and young people to grow up safe, healthy, happy, learning and engaged, enabling them to achieve their full potential. We want parents to be able to get the right help at the right time.”
The plan details expectations for Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies services until March 2029, incorporating insights from previous programmes like Start for Life and Family Hubs.