Best Start Family Hubs

The new hubs build on the support offered through our Family Hubs. Both are here for all families with children and young people aged 0 to 19, and up to 25 if your young person has special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

What makes Best Start Family Hubs a little different is their stronger focus on pregnancy and the early years, especially from birth to age 5. These early years really matter for your child’s health, development and future opportunities, so we are here to support you and your family during this important time.

We offer a range of support to help families feel confident and supported as your children grow, including:

• support with emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and the early years
• help to build strong parent-infant relationships
• infant feeding advice and support
• support for children with additional needs
• early help to identify concerns and connect families to the right services
• clear information and signposting to local activities, services and community support
• parenting and home learning programmes, including both in person and online options

The hubs are part of a national programme being introduced from April 2026. Here in Leeds, we are building on the strengths of our children’s centres, Family Hubs and Early Help Services to make sure every child the best possible start in life.

You can also visit the Best Start in Life - National Best Start in Life information on Gov.uk which is full of helpful information for parents and carers. It covers everything from pregnancy and birth to infant feeding, child development and family wellbeing. You will find clear, practical advice to support you through the early years, and details of local early‑years services available here in Leeds.

The Best Start and Beyond Strategic framework (2025 - 2035) sets out what we want to achieve for children and families in Leeds over the coming years. It explains how services across the city will work together, with a shared focus, to improve outcomes for children and help reduce inequalities.

We work closely with children’s centres, family hubs, health services, early years settings and community organisations across Leeds.

This joined up approach helps ensure you and your family experience consistent, clear and easy to access support, wherever they live and whichever services they use.

Helpful links and useful resources to support you and your family:

• Best Start in Life - National Best Start in Life information on Gov.uk
• Best Start in Life health advice - NHS
• HENRY parent programmes - Spring term 2026 on Leeds for Learning
• Family hubs
• Children centres
• Services for families (ages 0 to 5)
• Early years (ages 0 to 5)
• Family Information Service
• Children and families