Best Start in Life - Delivery plan Stoke-on-Trent

2. Ensure high-quality universal services that promote the early health and development of babies and young children

Action 2.1

Parents will have access to services within their neighbourhoods; increased take up of universal and referral-based services
Action 2.1
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.1 – 4 Family Hubs with 5 spokes hosting universal services alongside targeted support, with clear accessible pathways for families To provide needs lead services with outreach and peer support networks in places that are accessible and equitable to families. Family Hub lead 4 locations with outreach in “cold spots” Parents will have access to services within their neighbourhoods. Increased take up of universal and referral based services. Parental feedback net promoter score.

How

  1. Needs led tailored provision/outreach for their community based on local data and engagement with families. By when: April 2026

Action 2.2

A Healthy Child Programme that meets universal and targeted needs of families
Action 2.2
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.2 – Redesign the 0–19 service model to establish evidence-informed, multi-agency teams and integrated service pathways, developed through engagement with families and aligned with the role of Family Hubs and BSIL Strategy. To ensure children and families receive timely, coordinated and effective support by creating a system that is easier to navigate, responsive to needs, and built on evidence, partnership working and the voices of families CYP. Evidence from research identifies that GLD will improve when family services are accessible, non-stigmatising and when support is delivered early. Public Health; CYP Commissioning Team 4 Family Hubs; explore other delivery place-based venues A Healthy Child Programme that meets universal and targeted needs of families. Increased uptake of Early childhood and Family Hub Services. Strengthen the quality of the 2.5-year check. Families receive early preventative connected support.

How

  1. Recommission and development of a new 0–19 model. By when: April 2027
  2. Build on recommendations of the 2025 0–19 needs assessment. By when: April 2027
  3. Build on integrating multiagency teams that are place based. By when: April 2027
  4. Align pathways that are evidence based. By when: April 2027
  5. Strengthen the workforce capability and data capability. By when: April 2027
  6. Identify targeted intervention points to test adapt and learn from interventions. By when: April 2027
  7. Use evidence-based screening tools. By when: April 2027

Action 2.3

Improved equitable access to maternity services and better outcomes for mother and baby
Action 2.3
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.3 – Deliver high-quality, antenatal and postnatal maternity care that supports maternal mental health, promotes breastfeeding, and prevents complications for both mother and baby. Early maternity care influences lifelong outcomes reducing the risk of complications for mother and baby. Early integrated support for mental health, breastfeeding and attachment lays the foundations for children's development. Addressing inequalities improves safety and access. ICB; Public Health; Maternity; Breastfeeding Network; MVP; Perinatal MH Teams; Family Hubs In hubs and wider outreach venues Improved equitable access to maternity services. Increased breastfeeding at 6–8 weeks and beyond. Improved infant mortality risk.

How

  1. Develop a pathway of support linking midwives, HV and wider support in Family Hubs. By when: April 2026 – April 2027
  2. Strengthening cultural awareness and accessibility through an EDI midwife role. By when: April 2026 – April 2027
  3. Align development from the Infant Mortality Action Plan in terms of PH messaging. By when: April 2026 – April 2027
  4. Embed 0–19 needs assessment plans. By when: April 2026 – April 2027
  5. Community engagement and evaluations. By when: April 2026 – April 2027

Action 2.4

Ensure perinatal mental health support is accessible and improves outcomes for mothers
Action 2.4
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.4 – Perinatal Mental Health support expanded Poor mental health affects how we think, feel and act affecting parents' ability to support their child. FH lead; Public Health Family Hubs Ensure model is accessible for families. Increased uptake of support in each Family Hub. Improved MH of mothers.

How

  1. Perinatal mental health support offered in each Family Hub. By when: April 2027
  2. Review and evaluation of current model and make recommendations. By when: April 2027

Action 2.5

Increase childhood immunisation uptake and reduce inequalities
Action 2.5
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.5 – Implement a coordinated childhood immunisation plan to increase uptake that prioritises education, access and equity Protecting children from severe, life-threatening disease so children remain healthy and able to learn. Protects the most vulnerable and reduces inequalities. ICB; Public Health; Childhood health services Family Hubs; Community Venues Increased childhood immunisation rates esp. MMR. Families can make informed choices and access advice and information. Reduce inequalities and improve family outcomes.

How

  1. Vaccination clinics in each Family Hub offering routine vaccination. By when: September 2026
  2. Use of data and place-based knowledge to target intervention where needed. By when: September 2026
  3. Consider education and communications for families – communications will be clear and simple and not focus on myth busting but rather that they are the best protection for your baby. By when: September 2026
  4. Public Health messaging in hubs to build wider professional confidence. By when: September 2026

Action 2.6

Improve oral health outcomes and reduce inequalities
Action 2.6
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.6 – Deliver place based Oral Health Programme in family hubs, early years settings and schools Good oral health is vital for overall wellbeing impacting eating, speaking, learning and self-confidence. Reduce hospital admission for children. Early prevention is better than secondary care treatment reducing trauma. Public Health; Shropshire Oral Health Team; Wider Family Hub Early Years Staff Schools; Early Years Settings; Hubs Improved oral health and reductions in children requiring extractions. Reduced inequalities in oral health. Increased access to oral health information and support.

How

  1. All FH, early years settings and schools offering information and advice on oral health with targeting of early years settings that are not participating in oral health projects. By when: April 2026–2027
  2. Develop a plan to target interventions that is data informed. By when: April 2026–2027
  3. Share knowledge and education wider professionals like CSC. By when: April 2026–2027

Action 2.7

Ensure early access to alcohol and drugs advice, support and recovery services
Action 2.7
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.7 – To ensure families and professionals can access Alcohol and Drugs information advice, support and recovery services early Addictions in parents can cause harmful impact on the child. Family Hub and community venue delivery reduce stigma. Recovery strengthens parenting capacity. CDAS; Public Health; Early Help Hubs Reduction in parental substance use. Increased numbers of successful treatment in parents. Improved confidence and competence of professionals.

How

  1. Alcohol and drug support information and advice in each FH. By when: September 2026
  2. Training for professionals. By when: September 2026
  3. Parental substance misuse pathways. By when: September 2026
  4. Exploration of hidden harm offer and strengthen links with maternity and Health Visiting Services. By when: September 2026

Action 2.8

Improve healthy lifestyles, nutrition and early development outcomes
Action 2.8
Action Why Who Where Improvement Aim
2.8 – Provide healthy lifestyles and nutrition support in early years Good nutrition supports cognitive development. Breastfeeding supports early brain development. Healthy Start Programme improves security and nutrition for low-income families. Family Hub Team; Public Health; 0–19 Service   Increase in breastfeeding prevalence. Increase in Healthy Start uptake. Decrease in excess weight prevalence. Increase in staff confidence.

How

  1. Implement breastfeeding friendly practice. By when: September 2026
  2. Breastfeeding peer to peer support. By when: September 2026
  3. Weaning advice for families. By when: September 2026
  4. Engagement activity with families to understand need. By when: September 2026
  5. Healthy weight advice and support from professionals. By when: September 2026
  6. Explore universal resource for weaning/nutrition delivered at HV contacts and FH groups. By when: September 2026
  7. Healthy Start Vitamins Programme delivery. By when: September 2026
  8. Explore integrated delivery for universal and targeted services. By when: September 2026