This resources document brings together links, tools and guidance to help practitioners find the right support, information and ideas for strengthening Family Hub work and Best Start in Life services.
1. Core Family Hub & Best Start in Life Guidance
Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme: Local Authority Guide (2025–26)
The main government guidance outlining expectations, funding, transformation models, and the core Start for Life offer.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-hubs-and-start-for-life-programme-local-authority-guide-2025-to-2026
Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme Guide (Detailed PDF, 2025–26)
Contains detailed information on year 4 expectations, funding, service expectations, and model framework for hub transformation.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67cacd6ba175f08d198d80c1/Family_Hubs_and_Start_for_Life_programme_guide_2025-26.pdf
Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies: Guidance for Local Authorities (2025)
Helps councils prepare for BSIL hub delivery, including site selection, branding, disadvantaged family access, and integration with health plans.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-family-hubs-and-healthy-babies-guidance-for-local-authorities
Family Hubs Peer Challenge Guidance Manual (LGA, 2025)
Explains the peerchallenge process delivered by the LGA as part of the National Centre for Family Hubs. Useful for quality assurance and selfevaluation.
https://www.local.gov.uk/about/contact/family-hubs-peer-challenge-guidance-manual-2025
2. Supporting Early Child Development & the 1,001 Critical Days
Start for Life: Everything You Need to Know (DHSC, 2024)
A practitionerfriendly explainer on the evidence behind the 1,001 critical days, parentinfant relationships, breastfeeding support, and funded services.
https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/02/start-for-life-and-family-hubs-everything-you-need-to-know/
Best Start in Life Parent Hub
Governmentapproved information on pregnancy, baby development, breastfeeding, solid foods, bonding, language development, and finding local services.
https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/
3. Parenting Support & Home Learning Environment (HLE)
Parenting Support and HLE Guidance (Start for Life Strands)
Found within the national Family Hubs & Start for Life Programme Guide, this section outlines minimum service expectations for parenting programmes and HLE interventions.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67cacd6ba175f08d198d80c1/Family_Hubs_and_Start_for_Life_programme_guide_2025-26.pdf
Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life – LGA Resource Hub
Includes parenting case studies (e.g., Isle of Wight antenatal support, Barnsley’s integrated parenting pathway) and wider early years resources. https://www.local.gov.uk/toolkit/giving-every-child-best-start-life
4. Infant Feeding, Breastfeeding Support & ParentInfant Relationships
National Breastfeeding Helpline Expansion & Feeding Support Guidance
Outlines improvements to the national helpline, elearning for the early years workforce, and links between breastfeeding and mental health.
https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/02/start-for-life-and-family-hubs-everything-you-need-to-know/
Practitioner Prompt Questions for ParentInfant Relationships
Guidance on how to start conversations with parents about bonding, relationships and early attachment, included in the Start for Life offer.
https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/02/start-for-life-and-family-hubs-everything-you-need-to-know/
5. Integrated Early Years, Health & SEND Support
Best Start Family Hubs – Integration with Health Plans
Guidance on linking hubs with neighbourhood health plans, colocating services, and embedding healthled pathways into family support models.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-family-hubs-and-healthy-babies-guidance-for-local-authorities
Best Start in Life Strategy (Government 2025)
Outlines expectations for all local authorities by 2026, including integration with schools and SEND services.
https://www.local.gov.uk/toolkit/giving-every-child-best-start-life
Best Start Family Hubs – First Guidance for Integrated Systems (2025)
Details expectations for integrated hubs, universal and targeted provision, colocated services, and required core service elements.
https://www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/what-does-the-first-set-of-guidance-for-the-governments-new-network-of-best-start-family-hubs-tell-us
6. System Design, CoProduction & Equity
Transformational Best Start in Life Strategies (Dartington Service Design Lab)
Practical support for coproduction with families, systems leadership, equityfocused approaches, and building integrated Early Years systems. https://www.dartington.org.uk/latest-news/transformational-best-start-in-life-strategies-and-best-start-family-hubs
7. PublicFacing Resources to Share with Families
These resources are suitable for practitioners to signpost directly to families:
Pregnancy Support (NHS and Government Links via BSIL Parent Hub)
Weekbyweek pregnancy advice, physical and emotional wellbeing, and preparing for birth.
https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/
Baby & Toddler Development Advice (Feeding, Speech, Health)
Information on breastfeeding, introducing solids, bonding, learning to talk, and tooth care.
https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/
School Readiness Support for Families
Guidance to help parents prepare children socially, emotionally and developmentally for school.
Find Your Local Family Hub
Online tool to help families locate support in their area.
https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/