Skip to content

Cabinet set to approve £3.6 million investment in new Best Start Strategy

Published
Gloucestershire County Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve plans to invest £3.6 million in a countywide programme supporting children aged 0-5 years to have the Best Start in Life in line with the national ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy’.
children playing outside with a parachute silk and balls

At its meeting on 18 March, cabinet will seek approval to accept £3.6 million of Government funding for the national ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy’.

Gloucestershire will develop and deliver its Best Start Strategy through a countywide network of Best Start Family Hubs. If approved, the first ‘Best Start Family Hub’ will be based at Bartongate Family Hub in Gloucester, with more hubs to follow across the county as part of the three-year national programme.

Family Hubs bring together health, education and family support services under one roof. They offer a ‘one stop shop’ making it easier for families to get the right support, at the right time, near to where they live. The Best Start offer will offer enhanced support for young children from pregnancy through to school age.

The plans aim to give every child the best possible start in life by improving early childhood development and supporting parents and carers. Families will be able to access:

  • Friendly, trained staff who can offer clear advice on everything from baby development and emotional wellbeing to childcare and learning at home.
  • Evidence‑based parenting programmes to help three and four-year-olds get ready for school.
  • Support from dedicated SEND practitioners, helping families navigate services quickly and confidently.
  • Joined‑up help from health, education and community partners, reducing the need to repeat their story to several professionals.

The ‘Best Start Family Hub’ will be open to all families, with a focus on areas where extra support can make the most difference. It will support Gloucestershire’s goal of improving early development outcomes helping more children reach a Good Level of Development by the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

If Cabinet approves the proposals, the council will publish a local plan and begin work to launch Gloucestershire’s first ‘Best Start Family Hub’ in April 2026.

Cllr Linda Cohen, cabinet member for education and skills at Gloucestershire County Council said: “Every child deserves the best start in life, and this investment will help us make that a reality for more families in Gloucestershire. By bringing more services together under one roof, we’re making it easier for parents and carers to get the support they need without having to navigate a complicated system.

“The Best Start Family Hub will offer a welcoming space where families can find practical help, expert advice and early support that really makes a difference to a child’s development. This is a positive step for our communities, and I’m proud that we’re creating a stronger, more joined‑up offer for families across the county.”