We use cookies to ensure our site functions properly and to store limited information about your usage. You may give or withdraw consent at any time. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy.
Manage Cookies
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies often store your settings for a website, such as your preferred language or location. This allows the site to present you with information customized to fit your needs. As per the GDPR law, companies need to get your explicit approval to collect your data. Some of these cookies are ‘strictly necessary’ to provide the basic functions of the website and can not be turned off, while others if present, have the option of being turned off. Learn more about our Privacy and Cookie policies. These can be managed also from our cookie policy page.
Strictly necessary cookies(always on):
Necessary for enabling core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This cannot be turned off. e.g. Sign in, Language
Analytics cookies:
Analytical cookies help us to analyse user behaviour, mainly to see if the users are able to find and act on things that they are looking for. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. Tools used: Google Analytics
Share Why do we need to make changes to the service? on FacebookShare Why do we need to make changes to the service? on TwitterShare Why do we need to make changes to the service? on LinkedinEmail Why do we need to make changes to the service? link
A key priority for Cheshire West and Chester Council is ensuring that children and young people have the best start in life so they can develop and reach their full potential. This will be achieved by supporting families to thrive, be ambitious and confident about their children’s future. However, like other authorities, Cheshire West and Chester is seeing an increase in the number of people needing help and support, meaning that our budgets are being stretched. The current contract with the service provider runs until the end of June 2027 and the Council needs to make sure that we are delivering cost effective services that will have the greatest impact.
As of November 2025, the Council is considering its response to the Department for Education’s Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy, which introduces various developments in services for children, young people and families, particularly the development of Best Start in Life Family Hubs. These are spaces that will bring together a range of services in local communities, relating to health, parenting and childcare, including Children’s Centres. The Council is currently developing options for both Best Start in Life Family Hubs, and Children’s Centres, which potentially may revert back to being delivered by the Council with possible repurposing of some sites. This will ensure that the development of Best Start in Life Family Hubs will achieve the outcomes for families as set out in Department for Education’s ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’ Strategy. Any potential changes to the Children’s Centres delivery may be subject to a future consultation.
The focus of this consultation will therefore only be on the Healthy Child Programme. We would like to hear your views on the proposals we are considering whilst continuing to deliver a good quality service that improves the health and wellbeing of children and young people from prebirth to adulthood, focusing on those with the greatest need.
A key priority for Cheshire West and Chester Council is ensuring that children and young people have the best start in life so they can develop and reach their full potential. This will be achieved by supporting families to thrive, be ambitious and confident about their children’s future. However, like other authorities, Cheshire West and Chester is seeing an increase in the number of people needing help and support, meaning that our budgets are being stretched. The current contract with the service provider runs until the end of June 2027 and the Council needs to make sure that we are delivering cost effective services that will have the greatest impact.
As of November 2025, the Council is considering its response to the Department for Education’s Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life Strategy, which introduces various developments in services for children, young people and families, particularly the development of Best Start in Life Family Hubs. These are spaces that will bring together a range of services in local communities, relating to health, parenting and childcare, including Children’s Centres. The Council is currently developing options for both Best Start in Life Family Hubs, and Children’s Centres, which potentially may revert back to being delivered by the Council with possible repurposing of some sites. This will ensure that the development of Best Start in Life Family Hubs will achieve the outcomes for families as set out in Department for Education’s ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’ Strategy. Any potential changes to the Children’s Centres delivery may be subject to a future consultation.
The focus of this consultation will therefore only be on the Healthy Child Programme. We would like to hear your views on the proposals we are considering whilst continuing to deliver a good quality service that improves the health and wellbeing of children and young people from prebirth to adulthood, focusing on those with the greatest need.
