Offering families the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them. It sounds straightforward, but this has been the promise of numerous national family support initiatives over recent decades with varying degrees of success.
We heard last month about the excellent progress made by 75 local authorities in the latest of these approaches, Family Hubs, which is to be celebrated. More families are now able to access support, available conveniently through a ‘one-stop shop’. This local progress on co-ordination is important. The true measure of success, however, is whether children and families are doing better as a result: Are they getting the support they need to thrive? Are they getting help as soon as they need it to avoid simple issues turning into more intractable problems? And is help available in a way which is accessible and non-stigmatising? Achieving these kinds of results depends on good local planning and the best evidence.
At Foundations, we know the importance of addressing potential issues early on, and of approaches that involve the whole family – such as those delivered through Family Hubs. The hubs have the potential to strengthen the foundational family relationships that allow children to thrive. But for continued effective progress, Family Hubs must consistently look to the evidence about successful interventions and practices. By using this evidence – including by drawing on insights from the experiences of children and families – hubs can ensure they are offering the best support. To this effect, Foundations is publishing the Family Hubs Planning Frameworkin early 2024. The framework sets out the range of evidence that local areas need to strengthen their Family Hub model, alongside the processes and tools that can support them in doing this, ensuring they are tailored to the specific needs of each community. We’ve already tested the framework with 15 local areas and hope it will support more areas in strengthening their Family Hubs approach.
When they incorporate evidence-based approaches and services, Family Hubs can be a positive vehicle for delivering support. But to benefit the community, the hubs must use the support that has been shown to make a difference. As the What Works Centre for Children & Families, we are working closely with local areas to help them understand what this means in practice, and our framework will be an important step forward. Providing the very best support for children and families isn’t just a choice, it’s a commitment to ensuring that every child can thrive.