We welcome the government’s announcement to expand family hubs to every English local authority area by April 2026, and urge ministers to seize this opportunity to continue their commitment to families by embedding relationship-focused practice and investing in early intervention support services.
Family hubs provide a vital service to local communities, delivering universal preventative services and acting as a gateway for targeted multiagency help. We are encouraged to see relationships featured as a key delivery area for the new Best Start Family Hubs and are hopeful this will put an end to the current postcode lottery many families experience when needing relationship support.
Strong families are the foundation of a strong society. From our experience working with local and national partners, we know that providing timely, accessible support is essential. Alongside providing access to services, it’s vital that the staff working in family hubs are equipped to recognise families’ needs and respond appropriately, establishing connections and trusting relationships that will make a real difference to people’s lives.
Verity Glasgow, CEO of OnePlusOne, said: “Relationship quality is fundamental to the health of the nation. Research shows that people with strong social connections are 50% more likely to live longer than those with weaker ones. In terms of supporting health and longevity, relationships are more important than physical activity or tackling obesity, and as important as avoiding smoking and drinking.
“These statistics highlight why supporting relationships needs to be high on the government’s agenda, and an integral part of the work of family hubs. Getting relationship help shouldn’t only be an option for those who can afford it. With the correct systems in place, family hubs could provide a universal access point for families seeking help with challenging times, such as the transition to parenthood or separation, or looking for ways to improve their relational skills to generally get on better in life. I look forward to working with family hubs at a local and national level to support them to deliver the best outcomes for children and families.”
OnePlusOne is working with local authorities to provide digital resources to support families and staff working with families. Our in-house research team analyse data from these resources to enable local authorities to monitor change and evaluate impact, supporting the drive for continuous improvement.
The whole-family relational practice model identified in the key criteria for family hubs is at the heart of our work. We deliver this by providing evidence-based professional training and resources, supported by monitoring and evaluation to help people work in more relational ways and apply these skills to their everyday practice.
To find out more about our work, or discuss how we can support the development of family hubs services and workforces, please contact our team at info@oneplusone.org.uk
