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In a landmark move set to inject £400 million into early years and reception class support, the government is poised to resurrect a revamped version of New Labour's highly acclaimed Sure Start initiative. Dubbed "Best Start Family Hubs," this ambitious programme aims to establish up to 1,000 centres across the country, promising a transformative impact on the lives of countless families, with a particular focus on addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by British Bangladeshi, British Pakistani, British Indian, British South Asian, and wider BAME communities, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.
The proposed "Best Start Family Hubs" will serve as comprehensive pillars of support, offering vital resources in parenting skills, early childhood development, and accessible childcare. This expansive rollout is intricately linked to the government's overarching "Best Start in Life" strategy, which seeks to ensure tens of thousands of children are school-ready by the age of five. This initiative is particularly pertinent given the alarming statistic that one in three children currently commence formal schooling at five without essential foundational skills, with many still requiring nappies or unable to hold a pencil.
The original Sure Start centres, peaking at approximately 3,600 in 2010, were instrumental in assisting millions of young children across England. Data from 2011-12 revealed that an astounding 90% of children under four—over 2.5 million—were registered at these centres. Crucially, research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies underscored their efficacy, demonstrating that every £1 invested in Sure Start generated £2 in financial benefit through improved health, education, and social care outcomes for participating families. The revival of this proven model offers a renewed sense of hope, especially for communities that have historically faced systemic disadvantages.
For British Bangladeshi, British Pakistani, British Indian, and broader British South Asian communities, the reintroduction of these hubs holds profound significance. These communities often grapple with unique socio-economic challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and sometimes limited access to information about available support services. The "Best Start Family Hubs," by providing localised, integrated support, can bridge these gaps. Culturally sensitive outreach and the potential for multilingual staff within these hubs could significantly increase engagement and uptake from families who might otherwise feel alienated or unaware of the resources at their disposal. The focus on parenting skills and early development is particularly crucial, as it can empower parents to foster a strong learning environment at home, complementing the formal education system.
The BAME community as a whole stands to benefit immensely from this investment. Disparities in early childhood outcomes are well-documented, with children from BAME backgrounds often facing greater hurdles in areas like school readiness. By making early years support more accessible and tailored, these hubs can play a pivotal role in levelling the playing field. Furthermore, the emphasis on integrated services, bringing together parenting, healthcare, and education support under one roof, can simplify access for families who may find navigating complex public service landscapes challenging.
Beyond the hubs, the government's plan includes a significant expansion of English and Maths Hubs to reach over 100,000 reception-age children from next September, coupled with specialized training for reception teachers in maths basics. This dual approach aims to address foundational learning deficits at a critical age, further benefiting children from all backgrounds, including those for whom English may not be a first language.
However, experts stress the need for a truly comprehensive approach. As highlighted by research from Triple P, a parenting support organisation, despite 75% of parents viewing parenting as their most important role, a significant stigma is attached to seeking help. A national digital rollout of evidence-based parenting support is advocated as a "game-changer," capable of breaking down barriers and providing accessible resources from the comfort of one's home – a crucial consideration for communities where privacy and cultural norms might influence how readily help is sought.
Dan Paskins, Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Campaigns at Save the Children UK, lauded the "Best Start In Life" announcement, emphasizing the vital role of family services for under-fives in securing better outcomes for children. He underscored the effectiveness of integrating parenting, healthcare, and education support in one location, a model that aligns perfectly with the proposed hubs. Looking ahead, Paskins stressed the importance of the forthcoming child poverty strategy in Autumn, advocating for the scrapping of the two-child limit to Universal Credit as the "only meaningful way to reduce the UK's record child poverty rate." This policy change would have a disproportionately positive impact on many BAME families, who are overrepresented in statistics related to child poverty.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, expressed satisfaction that the government has acted on calls to expand family hubs to all local authorities. She emphasized that family hubs provide a crucial opportunity for councils and partners to support families and facilitate access to a range of vital local services. Cllr Shah concluded by stressing the need for long-term, sustainable funding and local flexibility to ensure services genuinely meet the diverse needs of communities across the country.
This renewed commitment to early years support, building on a proven legacy, represents a significant step towards creating a more equitable society. While the "Best Start Family Hubs" hold immense promise for all British families, their potential to uplift and empower British Bangladeshi, British Pakistani, British Indian, British South Asian, and wider BAME communities is particularly noteworthy, offering a beacon of hope for brighter futures for the next generation.
