About Start for Life

The Start for Life offer provides comprehensive support for families with young children. Our goal is to ensure every child has the best start in life by offering a range of services and activities.

Our offer focuses on well-being, parenting support, infant feeding, mental health, home learning, and support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Join us in creating a nurturing environment for your child’s growth and development and make a positive impact on their future.

Health services

• Midwifery care: access your midwifery services early in your pregnancy and have your baby’s and your health monitored regularly.
• Health Visiting Service: health and wellbeing reviews and support for families with children under 5 years old.

Parenting support

• Support groups: join your local groups for timely advice and support.
• Parenting workshops: learn about effective parenting strategies.

Visit your local family hub for more information.

Infant feeding

• Advice and support for when you begin feeding your baby and throughout the whole journey.
• Responsive feeding: guidance and support on responsive infant feeding.
• Support services: access infant feeding clinics.

Parent-infant relationships

• Baby Massage programme: strengthen your bond through our universal baby massage sessions.
• Attachment support: tips and resources for building a secure attachment.

Visit your local family hub for more information.

Mental health helpline for parents to be and new parents

• Mental health awareness: recognise signs of low to moderate mental health issues.
• Support access: how to get help during pregnancy and after birth.

Mental health helpline for parents to be, new parents and new baby.

Home learning

• Language development: programmes to enhance your child’s language skills.
• Learning activities: fun and educational activities to do at home.

Visit your local family hub for more information.

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

• Tailored support: services for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Inclusive programmes: ensuring every child gets the support they need.

Visit our SEND Information Hub.

Healthy Start programme

• Financial support: register for the healthy child programme if you are pregnant or have children under the age of 4 to access some foods.
• Vitamins: free vitamins for pregnant women and young children.
• How to apply: find out more about the Healthy Start programme and how to apply.