Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 28, 2026

Purpose: The paper will set out the recommendations based on the public consultation run over the summer to move from a 0-5 aged Children’s Centre model to a 0-19 (25 with SEND) Family Hubs model.

Content: For the reasons set out in the report and the appendices, the Executive Mayor and Cabinet RESOLVED:   2.1 To approve the receipt of the Family Hubs grant of £6.2m from the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care for the ongoing development and delivery of the Family Hubs Best Start in Life programme from April 2026 to March 2029.   2,2 To consider the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal as set out at Section 5 of the report and Appendix 1 and the Equality Impact Assessment at Section 8.2.   2.3 To note the public feedback steering the development of our Family Hubs to ensure early years provision is protected, Family Hubs services are developed to ensure they are accessible and reach families across the borough.   2.4 To note residents support for the existing services and staff, the welcoming environments that have been created which provide a strong foundation for the continued development of Family Hubs services and locations to build upon.   2.5 To approve the Children’s Centres 0-5 aged service transitioning to a Family Hub 0 19 (25 with SEND) aged service.   2.6 To approve the Family Hubs model of delivery with three main Family Hub locations, as agreed by the DfE in our initial delivery plan. To approve outreach Hubs in the buildings which were Children’s Centres, and the development of Information Hubs across the borough in existing Council, Health and VCFS partner locations in line with the suggestions captured in the report at Appendix 1.   2.7 To approve the Family Hubs and Outreach Hubs across Croydon being re-named and re-branded in line with the Family Hubs Best Start in Life name and branding expectations from central Government.   2.8 To approve that Family Hubs carry out further exploration of the Croydon Clocktower campus to be considered as the third Family Hub for the Central Locality, based on suggestions from residents in the public consultation.   2.9 To note there will be a review of the programme in 2027-2028 to assess the long term viability of the programme before the Family Hubs Best Start in Life funding ends in March 2029.