Issue - meetings

Approval is sought of the strategy – ‘Giving every child the best start in life’

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to report

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services, which was submitted with the purpose of seeking Member’s agreement to: accept the funding allocated to Oldham by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) for delivery of years 5-7 of the Best Start in Life Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme (formerly the Family Hub and Start for Life Programme); to delegate decision-making authority for the detailed allocation of this funding to the Executive Director Children and Young People in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Director of Finance, with the input of partners through the Family Hubs Board and to: approve the attached Best Start in Life delivery plan for Oldham, submit this to the DfE and publish it on the Council website before the deadline of 31 March 2026 in accordance with national guidance.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option One (preferred Option) - To approve the Best Start in Life plan and the delegated authority required to manage the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies grant funding for 2026–2029.

Option Two - Not to approve the Best Start in Life plan and the delegated authority for managing the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies grant funding for 2026–2029.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Approves acceptance of the £5,633,300 funding allocated to Oldham for 2026/27 by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) for delivery of years 5-7 of the Best Start in Life Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme (formerly the Family Hub and Start for Life Programme)

2.    Approves the delegation of authority for the detailed allocation of this funding to the Executive Director Children and Young People in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Director of Finance, with the input of partners through the Family Hubs Board.

3.    Approves the attached Best Start in Life delivery plan for Oldham, and that this be submitted to the DfE and published before the deadline of 31 March 2026 in accordance with national guidance.