Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed extra support for local families. Wolverhampton will benefit from a package of support to transform services for parents, carers, babies, and children. The Government is investing £301 million to help local leaders develop a clear plan for change and better respond to the needs of local families. As part of this, it is rolling out and improving Family Hubs in 75 Local Authorities - one-stop-shops where families can access important services. The Family Hub will act a single ‘front door’, making it easier for families to get the help that they need.
In Parliament, Stuart called on Ministers to ensure that families have access to wrap-around childcare. He has now welcomed this extra investment following the early years healthy development review, which sets an ambition to ensure that every family is supported in giving their baby the best start for life. It is based on evidence which found that the first 1,001 days of a child’s life have a significant impact on their health, wellbeing, and opportunities throughout the rest of their lives.
The funding will help Wolverhampton deliver better early help and intervention across a range of services, including health visiting, mental health support, parenting courses, and infant feeding advice. The Government has also expanded the Holiday Activities and Food Programme ahead of the Easter holidays, with £220 million per year up to 2025, to provide healthy food and enriching activities for disadvantaged children. In addition, 300,000 families will be helped through the £700 million Supporting Families programme to help families get the support they need to address multiple disadvantages. Councils will be provided with extra funding to offer practical support to young people leaving care, alongside £172 million over the next three years to support them to stay near to their foster families or children’s home.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “As a parent, I want to ensure that all children get the very best start in life. I welcome this significant investment, which will level up support for families in Wolverhampton. This funding will help our city to go further and faster to improve support to families, levelling up access to childcare, mental health services, housing advice, and employment support across our city.”
The Secretary of State for Education The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP, said: “If we are to level up outcomes for children facing the biggest challenges, this needs to start at home. Being part of a stable, loving family gives a child an early advantage, which is why we are investing so significantly in helping every family to access the vital services that help them and their children thrive.”