Rotherham families are set to benefit as Family Hubs go live in our Children’s Centres

Council staff, Council Cabinet Members, and partners at The Place in Eastwood
Council staff, Council Cabinet Members, and partners at The Place in Eastwood

Families across Rotherham will be able to access support at a number of one-stop shops across the borough.

This is part of the Family Hubs and Best Start in Life programme, building on the success of our 9 local Children’s Centres.

Families with children aged 0 to 19 (or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Need and Disabilities) can now access information, advice, and support across a range of areas, including:

  • Pregnancy and birth
  • Preparation for Parenthood
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Education and childcare
  • Family support and parenting
  • Employment and training

Online information and support for families can be found on the Rotherham Council website. This includes the Best Start in Life offer, which contains important information that families will find useful. To find out more, visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/family-hubs

All families can also access free, online support with raising children through a range of parenting programmes. The courses cover pregnancy to the teen years and include advice and practical tips to boost your confidence as a parent in Rotherham and the ambition is that all Rotherham families take advantage of this free online and confidential support.

Government funding of £3.4million has helped to deliver Family Hubs and the Best Start in Life programme locally, adding value to the existing support that is already available for families in Children’s Centres and Early Help sites. This means that new programmes are available and it is easier for families to access support from different organisations in the right place, at the right time.

This programme is being delivered by the Council and partners in the health and voluntary sectors.

Councillor Victoria Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We have worked hard over the last decade to try to protect and maintain our Early Help services and Children’s Centres, at a time when more than a thousand have been forced to close across the country. So delivering the Family Hubs and Best Start in Life programme is a continuation of this work which offers the opportunity to improve the support to local families. The funding will add value to the work that we are already doing and for families this means that it will be easier to get the information, advice and support needed when raising children.”

“Families can access this support in-person at a number of one-stop shops across the borough and online through the Rotherham Council website.”

Councillor David Roche, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, added: “We want every child in Rotherham to have the best start in life, no matter their background or circumstances. The first two years of a child's life are critical for their development, which is why a Best Start in Life offer has been published.

“The evidence shows that prevention and intervention in the very early stages of life is critical. The Family Hubs and Best Start in Life programme will support children and young people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives, preventing ill health in the future. An evidence-based programme is being delivered, which means that families can access the support that they need.”

To mark the arrival of Family Hubs funding, an event was held at The Place in Eastwood. This followed on from events that took place over the Summer with families at locations across the borough. At these events, families shared more about the support they received as part of a video. To watch the video, click here.

Comprehensive information and support can be found on the Family Hubs webpage at www.rotherham.gov.uk/family-hubs

Published: 20th December 2023