Croydon's Family Hubs show promising early results in supporting young families, but questions remain about long-term funding and equitable access.
During a review by the Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee, it was revealed that the Family Hubs Transformation Programme and Best Start in Life Strategy have seen a significant increase in children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD). Provisional results indicate an improvement from 70.4% to 74.1%, with particular gains for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged children.
Councillor Andy Stranack, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, highlighted that Family Hubs are becoming increasingly embedded in communities, with growing numbers of families accessing support. He noted that a significant proportion of families are attending multiple sessions, and many are recommending the hubs through word-of-mouth, a strong indicator of value.
However, concerns were raised about the sustainability of these improvements and the actions being taken to close the gap to the 78.3% GLD target by 2028. Katy Sparrow-Robbins, Family Hubs Transformation Senior Programme Manager, expressed confidence due to a strategic shift towards a partnership approach, programmatic delivery, and working with parents.
Navigating Support and Measuring Success
The role of Family Hub Navigators was discussed, with questions about the number of families each navigator supports and whether staffing is sufficient. Sparrow-Robins explained that navigators do not case-hold, as each family's needs are unique. There are currently six navigators, funded by the Department for Education (DfE), and the model is continually being learned and refined. Early indications suggest the navigators are effective in preventing escalation into social care. While a specific caseload number per navigator cannot be provided due to the bespoke nature of family support, the effectiveness of this preventative role is being closely monitored.
Councillor Mark Johnson raised concerns about the lack of specific Family Hub targets in the Mayor's Business Plan and asked if local targets would be set and reported to the committee. Officers agreed to explore sub-metrics that could be measured and reported, particularly in relation to what is being sent to the DfE. Councillor Stranack explained that the aim was for hubs to embed in their communities in ways that worked locally, avoiding a one size fits all
approach. The committee also discussed the need for more reporting on milestones, growth, performance measures, and assurances about continuity, as well as the inclusion of case study stories to illustrate the richness of the work. A recommendation was made to consider prioritising a Family Hub in the north of the borough, based on data from the Youth Justice Plan.
Addressing Cost of Living and Future Sustainability
Councillor Rym Daoud highlighted that a significant number of referrals to Family Hubs were related to cost of living issues, indicating broader financial hardship. Out of 292 referrals, 106 were linked to the cost of living crisis. Beyond signposting, partnerships with organisations like the South West London Law Centre have proven effective, helping nearly 400 families in one quarter and securing over £200,000 in financial gains. A story was shared about a teenager who raised money to create food packs for families, demonstrating community-led support.
Concerns were also raised about maintaining essential services after government funding ends in March 2029. It was suggested that many essential services are universally beneficial and would likely continue to want to be part of the Family Hubs model, which is expected to become business as usual
as the new front door for families accessing children's services. The committee sought assurances regarding sustained operational capacity beyond the current funding period.
Programme Reach and Development
Families find out about Family Hubs through various channels, including close working relationships with public health nursing, midwife bookings, birth registrations, word-of-mouth, and promotion across the borough via WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. The Best Start in Life programme, covering ages zero to five, builds on the previous Start for Life
programme and includes perinatal mental health, infant feeding, and antenatal support, with a strong link to public health nursing.
Next Steps
The committee recommended that officers consider prioritising a Family Hub in the north of the borough, based on data from the Youth Justice Plan, and that a report on progress be provided in six to ten months, including case study stories and performance measures. The need for more reporting on milestones, growth, performance measures, and assurances about continuity was also discussed.
The Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee meeting information can be found in the Agenda frontsheet and Public reports pack.