BOLTON is among the 75 towns and cities across the nation that will benefit from a new government funded scheme aimed at enhancing the life chances of disadvantaged children.

Family hubs are to be set up across Greater Manchester as part of the £302m government scheme.

The hubs will give parents advice on how to take care of their child, making sure they are safe and healthy and providing services such as breastfeeding support.

Early intervention is proven to improve children’s mental health and life outcomes, making the investment an important step towards ensuring all youngsters get the best start.

There will also be a share of £100m, targeted at bespoke parent-infant services and extra mental health support during the first few years of a child’s life.

Cllr Anne Galloway, Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s services said: “I am so pleased that Bolton has been confirmed as one of the 75 new areas to receive funding for our family hubs which support vulnerable children and families. 

“It will help improve local access to childcare, mental health services, housing advice and employment for the families who need them most.”

A further breakdown of the funding includes £82m to create a network of Family Hubs, improving access to a wide range of integrated support services for families with children aged 0-19.

There will also be £50m to establish breastfeeding support services, £50m to fund evidence-based parenting programmes, £10m to support local authorities to publish a clear ‘Start for Life offer,’ and a further £10m to trial innovative start for life workforce models.

The government’s education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Being part of a stable, loving family gives a child an early advantage, which is why we are investing so significantly in helping every family to access the vital services that help them, and their children thrive.
“Evidence shows that some of the most disadvantaged families don’t access vital services. Family Hubs offer localised early help and intervention, from early years support to parenting classes, all of which can make a transformative difference in the lives of parents and carers who may not have a support network.”