Two new Best Start Family Hubs approved for High Wycombe and Burnham

At a meeting today (Tuesday 12 May) Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet approved plans for two new Best Start Family Hubs (BSFHs) – one in High Wycombe and one in Burnham.

As part of Buckinghamshire Council’s Best Start in Life programme, the two new hubs will provide targeted support to families with young children and help to improve early years development.

The first BSFH opened its doors in Elmhurst, Aylesbury last month.

The national Best Start in Life programme requires local authorities to strengthen early years and family services to support children’s development, improve children’s readiness to start school, and increase the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) at the end of their reception year at school.

Buckinghamshire has been set an ambitious target of 80% of children achieving a GLD by 2027/28, including significant improvements in achievement by children eligible for free school meals. Achieving this will require targeted, early, preventative support for families facing greater challenges.

BSFHs will play a crucial role in that work, offering a targeted and comprehensive package of early years support as part of the council’s existing Family Hub network.

The BSFHs, located in areas of higher need, will bring together health, early years and family support, with help ranging from parenting programmes which strengthen the home learning environment to more coordinated intervention where children have SEND or developmental needs, plus improved access to key services such as midwifery and health visiting.

A suitable location for the BSFH in High Wycombe is currently being identified. In Burnham, the site of the Adult Services Day Centre will be repurposed as the location for the new BSFH.

Carl Jackson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services said: “Today’s decision allows Buckinghamshire Council to build on the positive start we have made to our Best Start Family Hub programme. The new Best Start Family Hubs in High Wycombe and Burnham will make it easier for local families to access the support they need, when they need it, and will help ensure every child in Buckinghamshire has the best possible start in life.”