A leading Government official paid a visit to Coventry to see the work of the city’s Family Hub Offer and how they are helping parents, children and families across the city.
Justin Russell, Director General for Families Group at the Department for Education, and Natalie Downing lead for the national Family Hubs programme, attended the Harmony Family Hub in Hillfields on Wednesday (22 January).
They were able to see a range of services that the Hub offers children, young people and adults through partnership with other agencies including Skills, Employment and Adult Education Services, Early Years, Hillfields Nursery school, Midwifery, Health Visiting, The Job shop, Haven and Early Help.
They talked to parents and Family Hub staff, observed a ‘50 things to do before you’re 5 session’ and were shown around by Charneze St Juste, the Family hub co-ordinator who ensures that the hub is meeting the needs of its local residents.
There was also an opportunity for a lengthy discussions about the work of Coventry’s Family Hub offer with Cllr Patricia Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Coventry City Council, and Jane Moffat, the Council’s Operational Lead ~ Early Help.
The Harmony Hub is one of eight around the city that offer local support to residents.
They help to join up the planning and delivery of family services; build connections between families, practitioners, services and providers; and put relationships at the heart of family support.
The Family Hubs offer support to families with children of all ages up to 19 years (and up to 24 for those with a SEND), with services including learning support, infant feeding and parent/child relationships support.
Coventry has helped to pioneer the use of Family Hubs and has also been recognised as a trailblazer in the national Family Hub and Start for Life Programme.
The Family Hub and Start for Life Programme was announced by the Government as a way of delivering improvements to support for babies, children, young people, parents, and carers.
Cllr Seaman said: “Our Family Hubs have been a fantastic success and have helped families and children across the city by bringing joined-up support right into the heart of communities.
“We all know how important those first few months and years are in a child’s life, and how vital it is for parents to be able to get the support they need, and our Family Hubs are really making a difference.
“The Hubs are vibrant, happy, caring centres and so many parents now know they can go there and find a friendly face and someone who will listen and give the help they need.”
Jane Moffat added: “The Hubs bring a wide range of professionals and services together to provide a connected offer of help, support and care, and they are a lifeline to many parents and families and help them to build links and friendships in their communities.
“This was our second visit now from Government teams to see some of that incredible work and we were delighted to show what is happening in Coventry and to showcase the work of the Family Hub and Start for Life offer and the impact of the work of Early Help to meet the needs of children, young people and their families.”
Find out more about the work of the Family Hubs and how they could help your family.