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The period from pregnancy to age 2 years (“the critical 1,001 days”) is important in laying the foundations for a child’s later development. When families experience difficulties in this period it can have a strong impact on the child’s development which increases over the child’s life. 

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme is a UK government programme that provides services to support parents and carers from a child’s conception until their second birthday, aiming to transform support for families in 75 local authorities in England. It helps meet commitments in The best start for life: a vision for the 1,001 critical days, published as government policy in March 2021. The programme’s objective is to join up and enhance services delivered through transformed family hubs in local authority areas, ensuring all parents and carers can access the support they need when they need it. It will also support the creation of a network of family hubs.

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme is jointly led by the Department for Education (DfE) and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

What is the Start for Life Evaluation?

The evaluation will look at the delivery of Start for Life through the Government’s Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. It will inform the planning, funding, and continual improvement of the Start for Life package. It will involve several components using a range of research methods to examine the effectiveness of Start for Life. The evaluation will also include the family experiences of the perinatal period for those living in local authorities receiving funding to deliver Start for Life services through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

This evaluation is being carried out by a consortium including the University of Oxford, Anna Freud, University College London, Ecorys and University of Cambridge. It is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Links to Government Start for Life resources: