The government has announced that family hubs, which aim to support child development, have opened across 75 council areas in England.

The family hubs, first announced in 2021, offer free help and support to parents in areas such as children’s early language and communication development, mental health support for parents and carers, and programmes for improving children’s home development.

Family hubs are part of the government’s £301.75 million Start for Life programme, which aims to support children from birth to two. The Local Government Association (LGA) called for the scheme to be rolled out across all local authority areas.

“Family hubs represent an important opportunity for councils to support families and to help them gain access to a range of vital services in their communities,” said David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board. “We’d now like to see this scheme extended to all councils so these transformative benefits can be felt across the country.”

To mark the opening of the hubs, the government has launched free resources and advice to help parents support their child’s development.

The Start for Life Little Moments Together campaign aims to support parents to make the most of every moment to further their child’s development, for example waiting for a bus or shopping together. The campaign is supported by a film showing how children’s brains develop during the early years, and the crucial role parents play.

Minister for public health, Start for Life and primary care Andrea Leadsom said: “The free resources now available through the Little Moments Together campaign will provide vital tools to help parents ensure their baby is getting the best possible start in life.”