Family Hubs: Best Start in Life Plan
This plan sets out how we will work together in Devon to make sure every baby and young child has the strongest possible start in life.
It brings together partners across Devon to improve early child development, reduce inequalities and strengthen family and community support so that children feel safe, loved and ready to learn when they start school.
Devon’s vision
Our vision is for every child to learn with confidence, enjoying their early years and feeling ready for each new step, whatever their individual strengths or needs.
We will offer caring, timely support to families, recognising that every family’s journey is different.
By working closely with our partners, we will make sure support feels simple to navigate and connected across communities.
Our commitments to children, families and communities
We are committed to helping children, families and communities thrive. We will do this by:
Giving every child the best possible start in life
We will support children’s early development, helping them grow, learn and feel confident and ready for school and beyond.
Listening to families and learning from lived experience
We will value what families tell us and make sure their voices, experiences and ideas shape how services are designed and delivered.
Being there for families when it matters most
We will offer kind, inclusive and timely support, listening carefully and responding when families need help.
Ensuring access to high‑quality, inclusive childcare
We will help families access affordable, high‑quality and inclusive childcare, and support all children to take up their childcare entitlements in welcoming early years settings.
Working together to provide joined‑up support
We will bring services and partners together to offer coordinated, evidence‑based support. This will promote wellbeing for all families, while also providing extra help for those who need it most, delivered in local communities.
Supporting a skilled and caring workforce
We will invest in a confident, skilled and stable workforce who can build trusting relationships and walk alongside families.
Building strong, connected communities
We will help create communities where families feel supported, included and able to thrive together.
Best Start Family Hub locations in Devon
There are five Best Start Family Hub locations across Devon where you can drop in for support, including three pilot sites offering support shaped around local families’ needs.
Bideford family hub (pilot site)
Exeter chestnut family hub (pilot site)
Newton Abbot family hub (pilot site)
Ilfracombe family hub
Totnes family hub
This programme is funded by UK Government