Tower Hamlets Council to pilot government Family Hubs scheme

A government initiative, Family Hubs, is to provide a single point of access to a range of different services for families. Residents will be able to experience an improved connection and easy access between services at times that are suitable for their needs. Services will be delivered both online and in physical places in Children and Family Centres that are easily accessible and where carers, children and young people feel most comfortable.

Family Hub services will be delivered from birth to throughout a child’s early years and until they reach the age of 19 (or 25 for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Local partnership groups will be working closely together to provide access and information, these consist of families, local voluntary, community and faith organisations, health sector organisations, schools and nurseries.

The following Children and Family Centres currently have implemented the Family Hubs scheme. They are located in the South West Locality of the borough covering Stepney, Wapping, Whitechapel, Limehouse, and Shadwell.

John Smith Children and Family Centre – E1 2EN

Ocean Children and Family Centre – E1 0ND                                                                 

Ocean Children and Family Centre (Shadwell site) – E1 0AF

Wapping and Bigland Children and Family Centre – E1 2JP 

The council’s new Early Help Strategy, launched earlier this year in January, will be delivered through the Family Hubs model. The council is also looking at co-locating services and delivering from partner organisation locations; again to provide easy access for local families. And following the pilot’s completion in May 2023, a full Family Hubs network is expected be rolled out across the borough by March 2024.

Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Providing excellent services to families is a priority for the council. The new Early Help Strategy, delivered through Family Hubs, will improve residents’ experiences through its emphasis on connectivity between services and partners. I am proud that Tower Hamlets is one of the first local authorities to pilot the Family Hubs scheme.”

Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, said: “The Family Hubs pilot is a really exciting scheme that will improve accessibility to services for families in the borough. I am grateful to our staff and our partners for continually working to support our families and children.”