New digital Family Hub service launched

More families in Devon will be able to access help and support following the launch of a dedicated Family Hub Advice Line and website, run by the charity Action for Children on behalf of Devon County Council.

Family Hubs are a new way of bringing together all the help a family may need in one place. It’s part of a transition in Devon from children’s centres, which supported families of children aged 0-8 with a referral from a GP or other professional, to family hubs – which are open to all families with children aged up to 19, or 25 for young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and care leavers.

The free Action for Children-run advice line connects parents and carers to trained family support workers, who can provide a listening ear when things get difficult or can signpost to other support.

It will run alongside a network of Action for Children run Family Hub centres across Devon.

Rob Wyatt, Action for Children’s operational director in the South West, said: ‘The support our frontline workers provide every day in our hubs is invaluable to so many parents and carers across Devon. We’re thrilled to be able to extend that help to families online and on the phone – meaning they can access support quickly and at a time that suits them.

‘At Action for Children we support hundreds of thousands of children and families across the UK, and we know that early help is a vital lifeline. Our staff support parents to address issues early and can help stop problems escalating. That is not only the best way to ensure positive outcomes for the whole family, but also avoids the need for costlier interventions further down the line.’

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Cabinet Member with responsibility for children’s services, said:

‘We’ve opened up the access to Family Hubs to a wider age range of children and young people, and we’re expanding the range of support by linking with existing community support groups. The transition to Family Hubs will be a gradual one over the next 12 months.’

You can call the Devon Family Hubs Advice Line on 0800 538 5458.