Purpose

Blackburn with Darwen will receive funding from the Department for Education to deliver Best Start Family Hubs. This is a key part of the Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy, which sets out the government’s continued focus on enhancing early years and family services. We will also continue to receive funding from the Department of Health and Social Care for Start for Life services. In addition, Blackburn with Darwen has been allocated an additional £1,192,000 over three years to strengthen our Early Years SEND offer.

Decision

(1)  That the acceptance of the Department for Education Best Start Family Hubs grant of £5,660,100 over 2026–2029, be approved.

(2)  That the acceptance of the Experts at Hand allocation of £1.45 million over 3 years, be approved.

(3)  That the proposed use of, and authority to spend, both grant allocations in line with the published grant conditions, be approved.

(4)  That the presentation of annual update reports to Executive Board to report on progress over the period of the grant funding be noted.