The Healthy Babies programme is set to expand to all local authorities across England, aiming to provide a more integrated approach to family support. This expansion will see parents offered enhanced infant feeding and mental health support, as well as assistance in forming strong relationships with their babies.
These services, which also include health visiting and midwifery support, are planned to be available at over 1,000 family hubs by 2028. The Health and Social Care Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced the rollout to every Best Start family hub in England, aligning with the principles of Sure Start for integrated family support.
Currently, more than half of local authorities have family hubs that do not offer Healthy Babies services, which means families may not always have access to integrated health, early years development, and family support in one location. This expansion is part of the government's broader neighbourhood health approach, which aims to deliver integrated early years, family, and elderly support closer to home.
In related announcements, a new adult social care workforce plan is expected by the end of the year, and a national collective pension scheme for adult social care workers has been introduced. The government also plans to appoint a new champion for unpaid carers. Additionally, the NHS response to violence against women and girls is being strengthened with £49.4 million in funding over three years for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).