How Family Hubs work

How Family Hubs are delivered in Cumberland and the support available for children, young people and families.

Family Hubs in Cumberland bring together services for children, young people and families, making it easier to get the right support at the right time.

Support is available from pregnancy to age 19, or up to 25 for young people with SEND. Services are delivered in partnership with organisations across health, education, early help and the voluntary sector.

What Family Hubs offer

Family Hubs provide joined-up support in communities and online to:

  • help families give children the best start in life
  • provide early help before problems escalate
  • offer joined-up support across services
  • create welcoming spaces for advice, guidance and activities

Support can be accessed through:

  • local Family Hub buildings
  • community venues
  • outreach services
  • online and digital support

Support for children and families

Our offer includes a mix of universal services, targeted early help, and specialist support, depending on what families need.

Best start in life (0 to 5 years)

Support in the early years focuses on:

  • pregnancy and infant feeding
  • child development and school readiness
  • speech, language and communication
  • parent-infant relationships
  • health and wellbeing

We continue to strengthen this offer with evidence-based programmes and workforce development.

Children and young people (5 to 19 years, or up to 25 with SEND)

Support includes:

  • emotional health and wellbeing
  • youth activities and safe spaces
  • advice on behaviour, relationships and risk-taking
  • support for children with additional needs
  • opportunities to build confidence and social connections
  • opportunities to take part in youth voice and decision-making
  • support for young carers

We are working with schools and partners to expand this offer and ensure it meets local needs.

Family Help (targeted early help)

Some families may need more coordinated support.

Family Help provides:

  • a lead practitioner to coordinate support
  • whole-family support where needs are more complex

Support may include help with:

  • behaviour and family relationships
  • school attendance
  • emotional wellbeing
  • routines and stability at home

This is part of the Families First approach, helping provide support early.

Parenting support

We offer a range of evidence-based parenting support, including:

  • support for different stages of child development
  • group sessions, workshops and webinars

Our local approach

Family Hubs are delivered through a locality-based model. This helps ensure:

  • strong relationships with schools and local partners
  • clear local points of contact
  • support shaped around the needs of each community

Our commitment

We are continuing to develop Family Hubs across Cumberland. Our priorities are to:

  • strengthen support in the early years
  • expand services for children and young people aged 5 to 19
  • provide consistent, high-quality support across all areas
  • work in partnership to improve outcomes for families

How to access support

Families can:

  • contact their local Family Hub
  • speak to a professional such as a school or health visitor
  • access information and self-help resources online

If you are not sure what support you need, Family Hub teams can help guide you to the right service.