Developing family hubs across Cheshire East
We're working with partners across Cheshire East to develop family hubs, funded by the Department for Education.
Last year we were successful in our bid for a share of the government’s Family Hubs Transformation Fund. We have up to £1 million to develop family hubs across the borough by March 2024.
What are family hubs?
Family hubs support children and young people from birth until they reach the age of 19 (or up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities). They bring council, health and community services together so that families can access the right support at the right time.
Our family hubs will provide a mix of physical and virtual spaces, as well as outreach, where families can easily access non-judgmental support for the challenges they may be facing.
Services family hubs will deliver
Services that are planned to be delivered from family hubs include:
- midwifery appointments, health checks, weaning and nutrition advice, early years play education and sensory development
- intensive support to reduce family problems that result in family breakdown, working with the child and family to make positive changes
- family help and support for children with disabilities or additional needs;
- practical support around finance and housing
- youth support services, including youth justice
- mental health support for children, young people, families and new parents
Where to find our family hubs
Our family hubs will deliver services in a variety of ways and at a range of locations. Our first childrens centres to be developed into hubs are:
- Oakenclough Family Hub
- Oak Tree Family Hub
- Monks Coppenhall Family Hub
- Ash Grove Family Hub
- Congleton Family Hub
Monks Coppenhall is our SEND centre of excellence as well as providing our core offer of services.
Further centres are being developed over the next 12 months.
Find your nearest children's centre or family hub
Hubs are not necessarily about creating new buildings but focus on bringing services together and changing the way family help and support is delivered locally. In practice, this will be a mix of using existing children’s centres and other community spaces.
A significant proportion of family hub services will be delivered virtually, services will also be delivered in the homes of families themselves.
Timescales for our family hubs
We launched our first family hubs in July 2023 and will have others in place by March 2024. We’re currently looking at where those sites might be, and which buildings could be used.
Remember, this isn’t just about buildings; the offer of family hubs and joined-up family support services will extend across Cheshire East, through our digital offer and outreach provision.
Who is involved
We are involving child and health professionals in developing the new family hubs, together with local people who will use the facilities.
Over the next few months there will be a number of ways to shape the future of family hubs, so watch this space….
For more information contact familyhubs@cheshireeast.gov.uk
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Page last reviewed: 07 November 2023