Delivering the best start for under-fives
In December, the LGA hosted a webinar for elected members called ‘From strategy to action: the councillor’s role in the best start in life’.
The session explored how councils can turn the Government’s ‘Giving every child the best start in life’ strategy into practical action through Best Start Family Hubs – a cornerstone of national plans to improve outcomes for children and families.
Launched in July 2025, the Best Start in Life strategy sets an ambition for every council to establish family hubs by April 2026. These hubs bring health, education and other key services together, so families can access support when they need it.
Councils are expected to publish a Best Start Plan by April 2026, outlining how they will achieve ambitious targets – such as increasing the proportion of five-year-olds reaching a good level of development by approximately 9 per cent by 2028.
Chaired by Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Chair of the LGA’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, the event highlighted why councillor leadership is critical.
Cllr Hopgood stressed that hubs are about joined-up early help and prevention, not just physical spaces. Her own council’s (County Durham’s) experience as one of the first 75 funded areas shows their transformative potential – from infant feeding support to youth employment programmes.
The webinar showcased insights from councils at different stages of implementing hubs.
Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Young People at Hackney Council, shared its experience as an early adopter. Building on strong foundations of children’s centres, the east London borough developed a hub-and-spoke model, with integrated services ranging from stay-and-play sessions to debt advice.
Cllr Bramble stressed the importance of co-production with families and cultural competence, alongside innovative father engagement programmes, such as dedicated support groups and antenatal classes.
Cllr Leigh Redman, Chair of Somerset Council’s Children and Families Scrutiny Committee, offered a perspective from a development grant area. His message was clear: councillors can champion the vision, secure funding and use scrutiny to shape governance and monitor progress.
Cllr Redman reminded delegates that every hub will look different, urging members to map existing services and build on local strengths, rather than reinvent the wheel.
Family hubs are not just buildings; they represent a new way of working focused on integration, accessibility and early intervention. Councillors play a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. As well as endorsing the strategy, by being visible, asking questions and understanding what’s happening on the ground they can make a real difference.
Visiting a local hub is a powerful way to witness the offer first hand, meet staff, and hear from families about what works and what could improve. These insights help shape priorities and ensure services reflect local needs.
The LGA, through the National Centre for Family Hubs, provides support for councils, including peer challenges, regional advisers, themed webinars, case studies and tailored advice.
Councillors can use these resources to strengthen local plans and share learning with peers.
When members champion the vision, connect with communities and use scrutiny to keep delivery on track, they play an important role in making sure every child really does get the best possible start in life.
- For more support and information, please visit www.local.gov.uk/national-centre-family-hubs