Leeds City Council has launched a series of new family hubs across the city to improve early support for residents in need.
These innovative hubs aim to streamline access to essential services and support networks, making it simpler for families to find help quickly and efficiently. Seven family hubs have been established in strategic locations within existing community hubs, enhancing their accessibility. The chosen sites include Dewsbury Road and Rothwell in South Leeds, Armley and Horsforth in West Leeds, and Deacon House, Compton Centre, and Chapeltown Children’s Centre linked to Reginald Centre in East Leeds.
Each hub provides a single, central point of contact for families with children from birth to 18 years old. Additionally, young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can access tailored support up to the age of 25. Services available at these hubs cover a wide range of issues, including mental health, domestic abuse, substance use, one-to-one interventions, and parenting guidance.
Staffed by experienced professionals, each family hub includes a dedicated hub manager, social workers, senior family help practitioners, and family help workers. These teams offer personalized, direct support and can effectively guide families toward additional specialist resources when necessary.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families said:
“This is an exciting development across the partnership to provide a more joined-up approach for children and families in need of extra help. Leeds has a continuous commitment to delivering early help provision, recognising the need to support families early in the life of the problem.
“These new highly efficient hubs will improve the quality of practice and experience of children and families and enable people to have the right conversations with the right services at the right time.
“Each hub has tailored support offers designed to meet the needs of that area and strengthens our ambition to support families, empower individuals and foster connections to create a brighter future for every family in Leeds.”
The creation of these family hubs also represents significant efficiency improvements, with Leeds City Council reporting savings of £750,000. The model enhances existing collaboration frameworks, such as cluster arrangements where partner organizations and schools work closely together to support vulnerable families.
A special event marking the launch of the family hubs took place recently at Leeds Civic Hall, attended by over 200 representatives from various sectors. The event celebrated this crucial step forward in the city’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community support and improve outcomes for families facing challenges.
Anyone, including members of the public and professionals, can reach the family hub network through a dedicated phone number and email address, ensuring they are connected promptly with the appropriate contacts.
For more information please visit www.leeds.gov.uk or phone 0113 5350185 or email family.hubs@leeds.gov.uk
