Family Hubs in Plymouth will continue to support children, young people and their families following the renewal of three key contracts.
The Family Hub contracts for the next two years have been awarded to the city’s existing providers, LARK, Action for Children and Barnardo’s, at Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet meeting today. The new contracts will run from April 2025 to March 2027, with the potential to be extended for another year.
Family Hubs have developed the support previously offered by children’s centres and help families from conception until children are 19 years old, or up to 25-years-old for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
In the last year alone, the hubs have been in contact with local families more than 29,000 times, covering everything from initial contact and signposting to group activities or 1 to 1 support.
Family Hubs provide a safe and welcoming environment with a range of different support on offer. This includes antenatal classes, activity sessions, parenting programmes, breastfeeding support and practical help from a wide range of professionals.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “We’re really pleased to have awarded new contracts today, ensuring that our Family Hubs network will continue to develop.
“Alongside our Wellbeing Hubs and other community services, the Family Hubs play a hugely important role in supporting local families, bringing together a range of services that includes everything from community health services to financial advice and parenting guidance. This means that Plymouth families with children of all ages are able to access the help they need, at the right time and in the right place for them.”
In 2023, Plymouth City Council was awarded a share of £300 million from the Government to help develop the Family Hubs and establish Start for Life, a programme providing support to parents for the first 1001 days of their child’s life, starting from pregnancy. This funding has helped with a range of programmes and practical support.
There are currently nine Hubs in the city:
- Nomony Family Hub, Cattedown
- The Barn Family Hub, Barne Barton
- Rees Family Hub, Plympton
- Four Woods Family Hub, Crownhill Road
- Green Ark Family Hub, Devonport
- Southway Family Hub
- Whitleigh Family Hub
- Morice Town Family Hub
- Efford Family Hub
Find out how to access your nearest Family Hub.