Family Hub
Connecting families and young people with access to help, when and where they need it.
What is a Family Hub?
A Merton Family Hub is a place where children, young people and their families can access the support, help and advice they need, at all stages of family life.
Merton Family Hub is working towards delivering 24 ‘core’ services focussed on meeting the needs of our local communities. These provide a range of support to Merton families (and some children/young people who come to school in Merton) all the way from the very beginning of parenthood right through to the age of 19, or 25 years for families with SEND.
The 24 services include:
Where is the Merton Family Hub?
Families and young people should be able to access help, when and where they need it, so the Merton Family Hub will not be just one single place. Instead, it will be made up of a mix of physical Family Hub buildings and other community spaces where Family Hub services can be accessed, such as Children’s Centres, Youth Centres and Libraries.
Support and information will also be available via an online or ‘virtual’ offer. A newly improved information service directory will be launched in early 2024 to help inform families about available services, including those delivered through our Family Hub networks.
Initially, the Merton Family Hub will operate from two main places: Phipps Bridge Youth Centre and Church Road Children’s Centre will make up our first Family Hub, and Acacia Children’s Centre and the Acacia Adventure Playground will be our second. 18 Family Hub network locations will also be delivering a coordinated service offer.
For further information on Merton Family Hubs including the bulletin and Frequently Asked Questions: Family Hubs | Merton Council
Family Hub Bitesize Overview Modules
It is positive that we are bringing services together and improving access and connections between families and professionals. It is important that all Family Hub partners have a common understanding of the service offer and what’s available.
“The Family Hub network is encouraged to make families aware of the services at their local family hub and connect them to the hub, particularly where a need is identified.”
(Family Hub Model Framework 2022)
A series of bitesize overview modules have been created for each of the 24 ‘core’ services to support all family hub partners to:
- Develop an understanding of each service area.
- Have knowledge of the tools and services available in Merton (including referral pathways).
- Understand the resources available locally and nationally when supporting families.
Managers from all organisations are encouraged to promote the Bitesize Overview Modules within their teams and include them in staff inductions, staff meetings, supervisions, and other staff forums. All agencies will be responsible for embedding them within their own services, offering staff protected time for training and development.
The Bitesize Overview modules have also been designed as a guide which practitioners can refer back to when supporting families with identified needs.
To support maintaining accurate and up-to-date content within the bitesize overview modules, practitioners from across the children`s workforce are encouraged to share additional services or changes to service delivery.
For all enquiries, please contact: familyhubs@merton.gov.uk.
