The government commissioned review, which will include services delivered through the family hub model, will make recommendations to help improve families’ experiences of the services. The full terms of reference for the review have been published today.
Start for Life services include a range of services such as health visits and infant feeding support. Family hubs bring these services together to provide families with joined-up support.
As part of the review, Ofsted and the CQC will visit a small sample of volunteer local authorities to hear directly from families and carers using the services to find out about their experiences. They will also consider views from local area leaders and professionals involved with delivering Start for Life services about their progress and to consider the local circumstances of each area.
Yvette Stanley, National Director of Regulation and Social Care, said:
We know how important the first few years are in equipping children with the tools they need to thrive in early childhood and beyond. These services are essential to making sure every family has access to the support they need.
This review will help support our understanding of how effectively these services are working and ensure every child gets the best start in life.