BPS response to the rollout of Family Hubs
We welcome the rollout of Family Hubs, and urge the government to invest further in early intervention and prevention services.
13 February 2023
The Department for Health and Social Care has announced the rollout of Family Hubs in local communities across England, where families will be offered help and support with issues such as infant feeding, mental health and relationship building.
75 areas will benefit from £300 million investment up to 2025, with the new hubs offering support from conception through to age 19, or up to 25 for children with special education needs and disabilities.
Dr Roman Raczka, chair of the British Psychological Society's Division of Clinical Psychology, said:
"The best way to improve the psychological wellbeing of children is to support their families and the communities around them, so we are extremely pleased to see the rollout of Family Hubs. Wraparound support, including health and wellbeing, and learning activities, is proven to have positive outcomes for children and families, and improve mental health.
"Moving forward, it is essential that the Hubs are accessible and welcoming, and deeply embedded within the communities they serve. Rather than a top-down approach, services must be tailored to meet the needs of local people, and have strong community connections to enable families to share learning and help one another. In-house psychological support is vital, not only to support the families and children attending the Hub, but to provide training and support for staff.
"This meaningful investment in community-based early intervention services is a positive step forward in identifying and addressing mental health problems as they emerge, rather than when they reach crisis point. It's vital that the government provides further funding for other prevention and early intervention services to make sure people have the help they need, at the right time."