Ensuring Norwich families get the support they need, when they need it

As MP for Norwich North, one of my priorities has always been ensuring that our children get the best start in life possible. That is why I am delighted that the government has announced more support for families through Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

Family runs right through the Conservatives’ vision for a better future for everyone and was a major part of the manifesto that the people of Norwich North elected me on in 2019. 

The evidence is clear, supporting families to give their children the best start in life makes a huge difference to outcomes.

That is why,  the government has announced further support for families by delivering on our promise to roll out family hubs in 75 Local Authorities with 14 new Trailblazer areas to speed up delivery as well as establishing the Start for Life programme as part of a £301 million package of support.

In the first trance of funding last year, Norfolk was selected as one of 75 local authority areas to take this forward and received around £6m additional one-off transformation funding to build on and further develop the prevention and early help services for families with children and young people up to the age of 19 or 25 if they have special educational needs and disabilities.

You can read more about the funding for Norfolk here: https://www.chloesmith.org.uk/local/news/norfolk-start-for-life-and-family-hubs

I know having children can be really tough as well as bringing so much joy. All families, from time to time, will need a helping hand. Family hubs bring services together helping parents, carers, children and young people to access the support they need more easily.

Parenting advice ranges from support with breast feeding and mental health to guidance on how to give children a head start on their learning.

Strong, supportive families make for more stable communities and happier individuals. This announcement supports families in Norwich to give their children the best start in life.

To find out more about what action I am taking both in Norwich and Westminster for this work, please visit: https://www.chloesmith.org.uk/myplan/children. 

If constituents need to contact me on this matter, or any other issue, please do email me at chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756