Cabinet members at Gloucestershire County Council are set to consider plans to invest £3.6 million in a countywide programme aimed at helping young children get the best possible start in life.
At a meeting scheduled for 18 March, the council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the acceptance of Government funding for the national Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy, which focuses on improving outcomes for children aged from birth to five years.
If approved, Gloucestershire will deliver the initiative through a network of Best Start Family Hubs across the county. The first hub is proposed for Bartongate Family Hub, with additional hubs expected to follow as part of the three-year national programme.
Family Hubs bring together a range of services under one roof, including health, education and family support. The model is designed to provide a “one-stop shop” where families can easily access advice, support and practical help close to where they live.
Under the Best Start programme, families will be able to receive enhanced support from pregnancy through to the early school years. Services available through the hubs are expected to include guidance on baby development and emotional wellbeing, help with childcare and learning at home, and evidence-based parenting programmes to prepare three and four-year-olds for school.
Families will also be able to access support from dedicated practitioners specialising in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping parents navigate services more easily and ensuring that support is coordinated between professionals.
The council says the programme is designed to strengthen early childhood development and help more children achieve a Early Years Foundation Stage Good Level of Development by the time they begin school.
The hubs will be open to all families but will prioritise areas where additional support could make the greatest difference.
If cabinet members approve the proposals, the council will publish a local delivery plan and begin work to launch Gloucestershire’s first Best Start Family Hub in April 2026.
Cabinet member for education and skills Linda Cohen said the investment would help ensure more children receive the support they need during the earliest years of life.
“Every child deserves the best start in life, and this investment will help us make that a reality for more families in Gloucestershire,” she said.
“By bringing more services together under one roof, we’re making it easier for parents and carers to get the support they need without having to navigate a complicated system.
“The Best Start Family Hub will offer a welcoming space where families can find practical help, expert advice and early support that really makes a difference to a child’s development. This is a positive step for our communities, and I’m proud that we’re creating a stronger, more joined-up offer for families across the county.”