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<p>The department welcomes the latest research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies
on the impact of Sure Start. The family hub model builds on what was learned from
Sure Start as well as on wider external evidence of the long-term benefits of early
intervention. The model includes at its core the Start for Life offer with a prominent
focus on babies and young children, encouraging engagement with the very youngest
and their parents and including targeted services for special educational needs and
disabilities (SEND). It enables early identification of additional needs through integrated
and connected service offers and provides funding for workforce training to better
identify and respond to need in a co-ordinated way.</p><p>Family hubs bring together
services for children of all ages and so respond to the needs of the whole family.
The government is investing approximately £300 million across 75 local authorities
to embed the family hub approach and enhance Start for Life services across the country
for families with children aged 0-19 years, and or up to 25 years for those with SEND.
On 10 January 2024, the government announced that every one of the 75 local authorities
in the family hubs and Start for Life programme have now opened family hubs, creating
a welcoming place where families can be connected to a wide range of services.</p><p>The
department has developed guidance for participating local authorities. The Programme
Guidance includes expectations on the support available to families who have children
with SEND, in line with the recommendations in the SEND and alternative provision
(AP) green paper. This includes staff in the family hub being knowledgeable about
local SEND services and able to connect families to appropriate support – this could
include for example SEND-appropriate parenting programmes, peer support for parents,
short breaks, support for siblings or specialist health services. The Programme Guidance
can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-hubs-and-start-for-life-programme-local-authority-guide"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-hubs-and-start-for-life-programme-local-authority-guide</a>.</p><p>Last
year, the department also published its SEND and AP Improvement Plan to outline its
plans to ensure children and young people across England get high-quality, early support
wherever they live in the country. This includes new national SEND and AP standards
which will help families understand what support every child or young person should
be receiving from early years through to further education.</p><p>The department is
also funding training of up to 7,000 early years special educational needs co-ordinators
who will learn how to identify and assess SEND and implement effective support so
that children get the early support they deserve at the right time.</p>
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