Case study: Exploring the feasibility and impact of Family Hubs

Client: Enfield Council

Date: Nov 2021 – Mar 2022

Challenges faced by the client:

A Family Hub is a place where families can go to access integrated help and support as their children grow up. They are a local service, which bring together children’s services, healthcare professionals and the third sector to provide services to those who need it the most.

Family Hubs have the potential to transform outcomes for children, building on the existing strengths of children’s services and relationships with other providers.

Enfield Council identified that through an integrated early help model, Family Hubs could be a vital component of Enfield’s “Early Help Strategy for All”.

The Council required support to explore the potential for Family Hubs in Enfield, which included:

• Defining “what good looks like” for Enfield (establishing a common vision for Family Hubs in Enfield among stakeholders;

• Testing the desirability (what is the appetite among partner organisations from health and the third sector and among service users?);

• Assessing feasibility (what is the best fit model for integrated services and can Family Hubs be delivered successfully in Enfield?);

• Initial testing of viability (what are the potential benefits of Family Hubs in Enfield and what are the likely costs involved?).

Our support:

Mutual Venture’s support focused on building up the materials for a business case for further investment and included the activities below:

1. Defining strategic fit and vision. Working with relevant colleagues to determine the vision and goals for Family Hubs. Undertaking background research and a mapping of existing services in Enfield, including family centres, early help services and health contracts.

2. Reviewing the potential impact of Family Hubs in Enfield. We undertook analysis of the benefits and impact of Family Hubs, including whether/how they could reach families most at risk, prevent unnecessary referrals and address issues such as problems in early years, mental health problems, and poor housing.

3. Options appraisal for Family Hubs, with high level costings. We outlined the options for Family Hubs based on reconfiguring services across the borough. We explored the number and location, service mix, governance structures and management of the potential hubs. Working with colleagues across Enfield we helped determine the ‘best fit’ options to progress.

4. Developing a roadmap for services. We produced a plan, with timings and resources required, to show the practical steps required to deliver the preferred model for Family Hubs in Enfield.

5. Public consultation. We supported the Council to undertake public consultation to engage and understand the needs of service users.

Mutual Ventures supported Enfield Council to establish a steering group with colleagues from a range of services to input, guide and ‘own’ the project.

Outcome achieved:

Mutual Ventures produced a written report, which set out the vision for Family Hubs in Enfield, assessment of impact, preferred option for Family Hubs, high-level costings, and a roadmap for implementation. This was presented in a business case format.

Enfield continued on their journey to implementing their “Family, Community and Youth Hubs” providing early intervention, signposting and advice across a range of service areas involving multi-agency partners.