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Parents will be offered greater support with infant feeding, mental health and bonding with their babies under plans to expand family hubs.
The government will establish up to 1,000 ‘one–stop shops’ for infant care across England by 2028 to help give children a better start in life.
They will give mums and dads access to midwives, health visitors and other family services as part of a ‘Healthy Babies’ programme.
It is reminiscent of the Sure Start programme, launched by the last Labour government in 1998, initially targeting disadvantaged areas before developing into a nationwide network of children’s centres.
It brought together early education, childcare, health and family support for children under five and has been credited with boosting academic success and improving health outcomes.
The network was substantially reduced after 2010 when it had its funding cut.
Making the announcement at Labour conference in Liverpool today [WED], health secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to say: ‘Since the election, Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell have been working to rebuild family hubs across the country, bringing back support for parents and for young children.
‘But something is missing.
Parents will be offered greater support with infant feeding, mental health and bonding with their babies under plans to expand family hubs
‘In half of communities, compared to the last time round, the healthy babies services – mental health support for mums and dad, the feeding and bonding support for your new baby.
‘That changes now. I can announce we will bring back the Sure Start health services into every family centre.
‘Reaching up to 1,000 hubs over the next two years. One of the Labour Party’s greatest achievements restored to families throughout the land.’
