Family Hubs helping thousands of West Sussex families get the best start in life

Release date: 16 July 2026

Thousands of families are benefitting from free support provided by the county council's Best Start Family Hubs, with rising engagement reflecting the positive difference the service is making to children, parents and carers across West Sussex.

The hubs provide welcoming community spaces where parents, carers and families can access early years support, parenting advice, health services, community activities, and information, advice and guidance tailored to their needs.

The 11 Best Start Family Hubs in West Sussex are run and managed by the county council, in partnership with public health and NHS providers, with funding from central government.
 
Latest figures show an increase in the number of families visiting our hubs and benefitting from the services available. This includes hubs in Adur and Worthing, where attendance more than doubled in early 2026, and the Crawley Best Start Family Hub, which recorded a 195% increase compared with the previous year.

Alongside support delivered from hub locations, Best Start teams have continued to strengthen their outreach work, ensuring families facing barriers such as isolation, transport difficulties or financial pressures can still access help. In 2025 alone, more than 8,700 children under five, 2,500 older children and almost 10,000 adults benefitted from community visits.

You can find your nearest Best Start in Life Family Hub by visiting the West Sussex County Council website.

Cllr Sam Raby , Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said:

"Our Best Start Family Hubs are helping more families than ever to access the support, advice and services available to them during the early years of their child's life. It is encouraging to see growing engagement across the county and the positive difference these services are making for children, parents and carers.

“By providing families with the right support at the right time, we are helping children get the best possible start in life, building confidence and resilience in parents and carers, and creating stronger communities across West Sussex."

The figures also show a shift towards more targeted support, with outreach services reaching more families per session and providing deeper engagement with parents and carers who may need additional help.

Information, advice and guidance have become a key part of the Best Start Family Hubs offer, with staff supporting families on issues including child development, feeding, sleep, housing, finances and emotional wellbeing. This early intervention helps families build confidence, access support quickly and prevent challenges from escalating.

Best Start Family Hubs offer support to families and children from pregnancy to 19 years old (25 for young people with SEND). They provide opportunities for parents and carers to connect with others through social spaces, Stay and Play sessions, SEND support, sensory activities and specialist services. These activities help reduce isolation, strengthen community connections and provide families with practical support in a welcoming environment.

WATCH: Hub manager Hayley explains what’s on offer at our Best Start Family Hubs

One parent who has benefited from support from their local family hub said: “I think that the hubs are a fantastic resource. The fact that you can easily find a fun activity that you child can come and take part in is amazing. There are lots of resources available which are really good for their open-ended development as well including the sensory library. Everyone is so friendly, and we have managed to build an amazing rapport with all the staff.”

WATCH: See how our Best Start Family Hubs have benefitted them as a parent