Croydon Council is set to strengthen and expand Family Hubs across the borough, backed by a £6.2m investment and strong support from local parents and carers.
Nearly 300 residents responded to a public consultation on proposals to develop Croydon’s children’s centres into Family Hubs, designed to make support services easier to access for more families. More than 80% of respondents supported the plans, with clear emphasis on protecting strong early-years provision and ensuring services are accessible across the whole borough.
A report will go to Cabinet on Wednesday 28 January setting out proposals to invest £6.2m to support the delivery and development of Family Hub services for a further three years, from April 2026 to March 2029. Subject to approval, this funding would allow vital services to continue without placing additional pressure on the Council’s core budget.
Family Hubs bring together a wide range of support for families with children and young people up to the age of 19, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities. Building on Croydon’s existing children’s centres for 0–5s, they are designed to provide advice, help and services in one welcoming, local setting.
The proposals include a network of three main Family Hubs, supported by outreach hubs based in former children’s centre buildings.
Two main Family Hubs are already open and operating successfully. Woodlands Family Hub in the south of the borough now supports more than 850 families each quarter. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Family Hub in the north offers the full range of Family Hub services and is used weekly by a wide mix of council, health and voluntary sector partners.
Following feedback from residents during the consultation, the Croydon complex could become the third main Family Hub, serving families in the central area of the borough.
The plans also include developing a wider network of local information hubs in places families already visit, such as libraries, schools, health settings and community venues, helping families access support close to home.
Family Hubs are delivered in partnership with local voluntary and community organisations and provide support with parenting, infant feeding, perinatal mental health, early learning and support for fathers, alongside digital services that families can access from home.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry said:
“Family Hubs are a clear example of Croydon getting back on track - investing in the services families rely on, protecting strong early-years support and making sure help is easy to access in every part of the borough.
This £6.2m investment allows us to build on what is already working well, strengthen proven Family Hubs and extend support for parents and carers from pregnancy through to the teenage years. It reflects a council that is once again focused on the basics, managing its finances responsibly and restoring pride in public services that people can see and rely on.”
