Northumberland County Council - Northumberland’s Family Hubs set to receive £3.5m boost

Northumberland’s Family Hubs set to receive £3.5m boost

23 Sep 2022 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Northumberland councillors have backed plans to transform Northumberland’s network of children’s centres into Family Hubs - bringing millions of pounds of investment into the county.

The children’s centres are already buzzing with activities for families.

Now, the Family Hubs will see midwives, health visitors, early years and mental health professionals, youth workers, and a host of other services - including relationship and parenting programmes, and financial advice – brought together into a vibrant one-stop-shop that meets the needs of families with children and young people of all ages.

Northumberland has been selected as one of the 75 local authorities who can receive additional funding to develop the Family Hub offer both in the hub buildings and community outreach venues.

The overall amount potentially available for Northumberland between Autumn 2022 and March 2025 is indicated to be between £3.321m and £3.446m with the opportunity to bid for more funds.

Councillors at the council’s Family and Children’s Services Committee, voiced their support and commitment to the programme.

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children's Services, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to build on the excellent work already going on across the county with our children and young people thanks to a wide range of organisations.

“We believe that investing in more support for families at the earliest opportunity will bring more benefits for all.

“There are so many brilliant activities taking place in our children’s centres as they transition into Family Hubs and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and develop.”

The development of the Family Hubs is already well underway with lots of involvement from communities and professionals in shaping services.

Following the funding announcement, the plans can now accelerate to the next level.

Graham Reiter, Joint Interim Director of Children’s Services and Director of Children’s Social Care, said: “Effective early intervention can improve children’s wellbeing, educational attainment and life chances, reduce family poverty, improve mental health and lead to lower crime, unemployment and other negative outcomes.

“This is bringing significant national funding to Northumberland and will build on the effective work that is already in place in relation to Early Help and Family Hub developments.

“It gives us some real opportunities to be innovative and further integrate our services.

“It’s not just about the buildings, as there will be outreach provision too with groups and activities taking place in other community venues so they are accessible to all.”

Florence, three, has been coming along to Cubs & Kits Daycare Nursery at Berwick Children's Centre, with her mum Kayleigh, three days a week since she was two.

They attend Learning Together Through Play (LTTP) sessions for children with additional needs and disabilities.

Kayleigh said: "Florence has complex needs and coming along has completely brought her out of her shell and she loves nothing more than seeing the other boys and girls.

"Everyone at the centre has been brilliant at meeting her needs and looking after her and doing whatever they can to make her experience enjoyable.

"I'd definitely recommend coming along - having other children around and other people helping to look after her is very important."

Our children's centres become family hubs from Monday September 26 and we've lots of activities to celebrate. Find out how you can get involved in current activities by visiting our website and Facebook pages:

Family Hubs Northumberland

Familly Hubs