City’s family hubs to receive £5m government cash boost

Derby City Council is set to receive more than £5 million in government funding to secure the future of hubs which support vulnerable children and families across the city.

Since its launch in July 2022, the Family Hub initiative has provided a one-stop-shop for families with children aged 0 to 19 (and up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

The city council is now set to receive £5.192 million, provided jointly by the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care, which secure the future of the hubs over the next three financial years.

The new funding will also allow the hubs to focus on improving health and educational outcomes in areas with the highest levels of need.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, the city council’s cabinet member for children, young people and skills, said: “This investment is crucial for building on the progress we’ve made in supporting our most vulnerable families.

“By sustaining our Family Hub services, we are reaffirming our commitment to improving outcomes for families, children, and young people across Derby city.”

The city council’s Family Hubs bring together services that families may previously have had to find in different places, or found difficult to navigate, making it simple to get help in the right place, at the right time.

The range of support includes fun and interactive groups, infant feeding workshops, breastfeeding clubs and support for new parents.

They help with well-being, mental health and parent-infant relationships and support for children with special educational needs and their families.

They also provide activities for dads, co-parents and other carers, as well as child and family health activities around healthy eating, oral health and stay and weigh clinics.

And the hubs support with managing finances, the cost of living and getting back into work or training.

Derby is one of 75 local authorities nationwide to receive full funding from the DfE and DOHSC.

The city currently operates six primary Family Hubs located in Derwent, Mackworth Morley, Osmaston Allenton, Sinfin, Becket, and Rosehill, providing accessible, community-based support.

Additionally, four existing children’s centres in Alvaston, Chaddesden, Sunnyhill and Boulton will continue to support the network.

These sites provide essential space for midwifery services, independent childcare, and the Therapeutic Hub, which assists families within the social care system.

The grant funding includes a capital element which will allow older buildings to be reconfigured and revitalised so they can be used to deliver services more effectively.