Barnsley sets out bold plan to give every child the best start in life

We’ve worked with local partners to publish a new Best Start in Life Plan, setting out how we will work together over the next three years to improve outcomes for babies, young children and families across the borough.

Covering the period 2026 to 2028, the plan focuses on early help, prevention, and joined‑up support for children aged 0 to 5, recognising that the earliest years of life play a crucial role in shaping health, learning and wellbeing for the future.

The plan has been developed with health services, early years providers, schools, voluntary and community organisations, and parents and carers. It aligns with national priorities including the Government’s Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy.

It will work to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes in early health, education and development.

 The Best Start in Life Plan sets out how partners will further strengthen access to support, identifying needs earlier and ensuring families receive the right help at the right time.

At the heart of the plan is a commitment to helping more children achieve a Good Level of Development by the end of reception, giving them the best possible foundation for starting school and for life beyond the classroom.

 The plan focuses on three priority areas: 

• Support for families, including practical parenting support, early help and community‑based services delivered through Family Hubs.

• Healthy babies, with a strong emphasis on the first 1,001 days of life, perinatal mental health, infant feeding and strong parent‑infant relationships.

• Early learning, improving school readiness through high‑quality early years provision, early language development and faster identification of additional needs.

Six Family Hubs across Barnsley already provide integrated support for families from pregnancy onwards, and the plan builds on this network to make help easier to access and more joined‑up across services.

 Carly Speechley, Executive Director for Children’s Services, said:

 “Giving children the best possible start in life is one of the most important things we can do for Barnsley’s future. This plan brings partners together around a shared ambition – to reduce inequalities, support families early, and help more children thrive as they grow.”

 The Best Start in Life Plan includes clear measures to track progress, including improvements in early language development, health outcomes and school readiness, ensuring partners remain accountable for delivering real change for families.

 More information about the Best Start in Life Plan and local Family Hub support is available at: Barnsley's Best Start in Life Plan and the Family Hubs page.