First Best Start Family Hub opens in Dunstable to support families
Families in Central Bedfordshire can access new support for children and young people following the opening of the area's first Best Start Family Hub in Dunstable.
The hub was officially introduced on Friday, October 23, alongside a new online resource designed to help parents and carers find advice, activities and local services.
The Best Start in Life programme aims to make it easier for families to access support, whether they are preparing for a new baby, looking for activities for young children or seeking advice on child development.
The new service will also provide additional support for families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This includes dedicated Best Start Inclusion Practitioners, additional family support workers and drop-in sessions offering advice on early years education and childcare.
A Youth Hub has also been developed at the site to help young people access support with education, employment, training and independent living skills.
While many existing services will continue to operate through the hub, the programme is intended to strengthen support for families and help them access assistance earlier.
Alongside the Dunstable centre, the council has introduced a new online resource bringing together information about local services, activities and family support.
Councillor Gareth Mackey, Central Bedfordshire Council's executive member for children and families, said: "The launch of our first Best Start Family Hub and online offer is an important step forward for families across Central Bedfordshire.
"We know every family needs support at different times, but finding the right help is not always easy. Best Start in Life is about making that experience simpler.”
He added: "As well as bringing services together in one place, Best Start in Life is helping us enhance the support available to local families through new activities, additional family support, and a strengthened SEND offer.
"By investing in specialist staff and early help services, we're making it easier for families to access the right support at the right time."
The council says the wider programme aims to improve outcomes for children, reduce inequalities and help young people grow up healthy, confident and ready to learn.
Families can find out more about the services available at: centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/best-start-in-life.