Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed that Elmhurst Family Centre in Aylesbury will become the county’s first Best Start Family Hub, marking an important step in delivering its new Best Start in Life Plan 2026–2029.
The plan sets out how the council and its partners aim to strengthen early support for families, improve school readiness, and increase the number of children reaching a Good Level of Development.
Elmhurst has been selected as the first site due to local need, as well as its strong existing facilities and community links. The centre already provides a wide range of services, including stay-and-play sessions, parenting groups, and targeted early years support, making it well placed to expand its offer.
As a Best Start Family Hub, Elmhurst will bring together health services, early years support and family services in a more coordinated way. Families will benefit from improved access to midwifery and health visiting, evidence-based parenting programmes, and earlier identification of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The hub will also take a more proactive approach, reaching out to families who may benefit from support rather than relying on them to seek help.
Over time, the centre is expected to offer more flexible access, including extended opening hours, helping families access services around work and caring commitments.
The council has said that only a small number of hubs will be introduced initially, allowing the model to be developed carefully and based on evidence. Lessons learned from Elmhurst will help shape the future rollout of similar hubs across Buckinghamshire.
Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said:
“This is fantastic news for local families and reflects Buckinghamshire Council’s strong commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.
Our existing Family Hubs already offer a wide range of support, information and advice for Buckinghamshire families, helping to prevent smaller issues escalating into bigger problems. Our Best Start Family Hubs will build on those achievements, with additional resources focused on the earliest years of a child’s life and making families aware of what support is available to them.
I am sure those Buckinghamshire MPs who have speculated on social media about the council’s ability to deliver a ‘Best Start in Life’ plan will now join others in welcoming the launch of our first Best Start Family Hub, which is opening both on time and on budget.”
