Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with metro mayors and combined authorities on developing place-based approaches to childcare and family support that integrate childcare, health visiting, family hubs and employment support.

Best Start in Life and Best Start Family Hubs are about place-based working. That is why the department has asked local authorities to publish a plan for children's outcomes in their area and why Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies programme guidance recognises the strong foundations already in place, including deeply embedded and trusted local partnerships, infrastructure and experience.

Mayors and combined authorities play an important role in coordinating and supporting their local authorities in this work and in helping to develop place-based approaches. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, Best Start in Life regional leads and departmental officials regularly engage with stakeholders, including metro mayors and combined authorities regarding place-based approaches across skills, education and wider families’ services. For example, this includes learning from and sharing best practice, including the work done by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Cradle to Career programme in Birkenhead.