The move is designed to create a seamless network of services
Councillor Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for children, families and education at Bridlington Family Hub(Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
Families across the East Riding are set to benefit from a transformed support system as Family Hubs begin to replace traditional Children’s Centres, offering a joined-up network of guidance. The official rollout commenced on Friday, May 1 with the opening of the Bridlington Family Hub in Shaftesbury Road. The event, attended by local families and staff, marks the first step in a wider transition that will see centres across the region converted into Hubs over the coming months.
The move is designed to create a seamless network of services, integrating health, family services, education, childcare, schools and the voluntary and community sector. The range of assistance available is extensive, including midwifery, health visiting, family support, infant feeding, antenatal education, postnatal support, speech and language, play, attachment and bonding. A SEND practitioner will also be dedicated to the hubs.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education, emphasised the long-term benefits of the initiative, stating: “Family Hubs enable families to access help and support at the earliest possible opportunity, helping children to have the best start in life. We know that when children have a great start it impacts positively on health, wellbeing, and life outcomes.”
Family Hubs are a part of East Riding’s Best Start in Life Plan, which outlines how early years services will be delivered and how children will be supported to have the best start in life. Recognising the geographical challenges of the East Riding, the strategy includes community-based family help to ensure those in rural areas are not left behind.
Councillor Aitken continued: “Supporting children and families cannot be done by any single service alone. Through Family Hubs, families will receive joined-up, accessible and responsive support. We have also piloted a community-based offer, working with places like schools, church halls and the voluntary and community sector. This has proved highly successful in connecting with some of our smaller rural communities.”
The development of these services is being guided by Parent Panels, which allows parents and carers to share their views and experiences to help shape the delivery of help. To support the physical locations, new Family Hubs webpages have also launched, allowing parents to browse local classes, book activities online, and access the online Togetherness parenting guides.
The council has confirmed that families already registered at a Children’s Centre will not need to re-register at their new Family Hub. Residents can find out more or register at www.eastriding.gov.uk/family-hubs or by following ERFamilyHubs on Facebook.
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