It is a year since Nottinghamshire County Council implemented the Best Start strategy for young families.

The idea behind the approach is centred on the idea that a child's first years play a big part in their development and that every child should be able to achieve their potential regardless of their circumstances.

The aims of Best Start include helping parents-to-be prepare for parenthood, helping them to establish good family relationships, ensuring sufficient high quality early years provision and that children are ready for nursery and school.

This week (Monday 25 April) the Council's children and young people's committee reflected on what has been achieved so far and agreed the next steps.

Among the notable successes were the fact that: Baby and Breastfeeding Encouragement and Support (known as BABES groups) led by parent volunteers are now available across the county and provide peer support for breastfeeding parents and offer practical hints and tips; a range of support for post-natal stages has continued to be delivered in 2021-22; the take up rate for eligible 2-year-olds is increasing and is now higher than pre-lockdown levels.

The positive impact of Best Start has been specifically felt in Hucknall. One mum-to-be from the town, Melanie MacKenzie, whose midwifery services are at the local Butler's Hill & Broomhill Children's Centre, has praised the Best Start approach, saying: "It's great to see that all the different services that will support me, my partner and our new baby are working together to make sure everyone gets the support they need, when they need it". 

The next steps will see early years support continue as a priority for the council, at the same time as looking to build the family hub model so that families across the districts benefit from the services from conception until children reach the age of 19 (or up to 25 if young people have special educational needs or disabilities).

It is intended that family hubs will support a child's critical early years development and beyond. Accessible, joined-up services will provide universal and seamless support for Nottinghamshire families.

The experience of the pandemic and lockdown has, by necessity, enabled new and creative ways to deliver services and support. Virtual tools offering easy access and convenience has been a positive change and both building-based and virtual services will have their place in the new model.

Councillor Tracey Taylor, Chair of the children and young people's committee said: "We have big ambitions for children and young people in Nottinghamshire. Giving all of Nottinghamshire's children the best start in life is something we are committed to and I'm proud of what has been delivered for families so far. But we are not complacent, we know that there is more that can and should be done and the partnership will help to identify priorities and keep progress on track.

"The potential to expand the family hub model so that we can provide joined up, easy access to support in one place is good news for families. The partnership will ensure that local family hubs maintain a strong focus on Best Start so that antenatal support and the first 1,001 days of a baby's life are at the heart of services.

"I'm pleased that we will be in a position to start local consultation in the coming months for two more family hubs, offering a broader range of joined-up services for our children and families."