Parents across Rotherham now have the option to register their baby's birth at additional sites in the borough as part of a new initiative aimed at making services more accessible for families.
Birth registration appointments are now available at Best Start Family Hub Swinton and Best Start Family Hub Maltby, alongside the existing service at the Register Office in Riverside House.
The new service, launched by Rotherham Council, offers parents greater choice over where they complete the legal registration process, while also helping them connect with support services available in their local community from the earliest stages of their child's life.
The initiative is the latest example of the work Rotherham Council is doing to ensure children and young people across the borough have the best start in life. Last year, the Council introduced its popular Baby Pack scheme for expectant parents, free universal packs filled with essential items for the first six months of a baby's life.
Families continue to make the most of services at Best Start Family Hubs across the borough, including the Council’s popular 0-5 offer. Over the last year, there were over 26,500 attendances across Baby Offer sessions, Toddler Groups, PEEP and Sensory Groups.
Total attendance across the hubs continues to grow, with over 80,000 visits over the last year, nearly an additional 15,000 attendances on the previous year, demonstrating the growing reach and impact of services for children, young people and families.
Alongside providing services for children and young people with SEND, Best Start Family Hubs also form part of the wider Children and Young People's Services offer, which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted last year.
Cllr Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Finance & Community Safety, said: "Mums who have just had a baby will find it really useful to be able to register their child's birth at a location closer to home. We want to do everything we can to make sure families can register a birth as conveniently as possible. I'm really pleased that we've been able to bring this service into local communities.”
Cllr Victoria Cusworth, Deputy Leader of Rotherham Council and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Registering a birth is one of the first important milestones for a family and we want the process to be as straightforward and convenient as possible.
“By offering birth registration appointments in our Best Start Family Hubs, we're creating another opportunity for parents to find out about services that can help them and their child from the earliest stages.”
“Best Start Family Hubs already bring together a wide range of support for children, young people and their families, so it’s a good location for birth registration services.”
Best Start Family Hubs offers a wide range of support for families from pregnancy through to young adulthood. Services include midwife and health visitor appointments, infant feeding support, antenatal classes, peer support for mental health, groups for parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and free activities for children under five and their families. To book a birth registration appointment, visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/births-deaths-ceremonies/register-birth or call 01709 823542.
