Beyond A Better Start Southend: What next for babies, children and families?

 

For ten years, A Better Start Southend (ABSS) has been at the heart of early years support for families in Southend.

 

As the programme comes to an end in March 2025, ABSS continues to work with Southend-on-Sea City Council and Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board to make sure families have clear information about which services will continue, what will change, and where to find support going forward.

 

Dr Nia Thomas, Director of ABSS, explained:

 

“Many of the projects that ABSS helped to develop will continue to support babies, children and families in Southend, plus key learnings will be carried forward into the design of future services.

 

“Collaboration and inclusion have always been at the heart of ABSS. Beyond ABSS is no exception.

 

“We continue to work with partners to support the next steps for services for babies, children and families.”

 

Many services that families have come to rely on will continue in new or adapted forms, ensuring that support remains available where it is most needed.

 

Throughout the programme researchers have been carefully compiling information and data from each of the projects so that future services supporting early years development – local and beyond – can learn and improve.

 

Tom Abell, Chief Executive Officer, of NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board said:

 

“A Better Start Southend has made a real impact to families in Southend, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved. 

 

“We are committed to ensuring that the learning from this programme continues to guide our work with our partners across health and care to ensure every child has the best start in life. 

 

“The NHS in mid and south Essex is evolving to ensure care remains safe, effective, and financially sustainable for the future.  Everyone; patients, carers, staff and communities will have a role in making this happen.”

 

To find out about services beyond ABSS, families can access helpful information and services from:

 

  • City Family – Providing advice and support to help families navigate available services. Visit www.cityfamily.org.uk or call 01702 844118.
  • Livewell Southend – A hub for health and wellbeing services, including the SEND Local Offer. Visit www.livewellsouthend.com.

 

The end of ABSS marks a new chapter for early years support in Southend.

 

The Council and partners remain committed to ensuring families continue to receive the help they need. Over the coming year, partners will be working closely with parents and local organisations to shape the next phase of services for babies, children and families.

 

For further updates and full details of ABSS services and support beyond ABSS, visit the ABSS website www.abetterstartsouthend.co.uk/beyond-abss/ or email BeyondABSS@eyalliance.org.uk.

 

ENDS\

 

Editor’s notes:

 

For media enquiries, please email melanie.larke@eyalliance.org.uk or call Melanie Larke on 07562 666988.

 

A joint statement on behalf of A Better Start Southend, Southend on Sea City Council and Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board is available on the A Better Start Southend website: https://abetterstartsouthend.co.uk/beyond-abss/

 

A Better Start Southend (ABSS) programme was established through a grant of £36m and part of a ten-year test and learn programme from The National Lottery Community Fund.

What will continue:

 

  • YourFamily and Little Explorers Creche – These will continue under the City Family CIC ensuring early years support remains accessible.
  • Infant Feeding Support – The 3-to-5-month health visiting service will be expanded and available to all families in Southend, delivered by the Council’s Health Visiting Team.
  • Breastfeeding and Antenatal Support – The one-to-one breastfeeding service at Southend Hospital and the Journey to Parenthood antenatal programme will continue, though home visits will no longer be included.
  • Community Breastfeeding Support – A new breastfeeding support service, inspired by the Bump to Breast project, will be launched by the Council’s health visiting team.
  • Parent Engagement – The Council remains committed to ensuring parents’ voices shape future services and will trial new ways to support parent involvement.
  • Storysacks – This popular resource for encouraging early literacy has now moved to Southend Libraries and remains available to all families.
  • Food On Our Doorstep (FOOD) Club – Families will continue to have access to affordable, nutritious food through this programme.
  • Families Growing Together – The programme will evolve into innovative forest school activities, offering engaging outdoor learning for families.
  • Independent Domestic Violence Support – Safe Steps will continue to provide essential domestic abuse support services across Essex.
  • Speech and Language Support – While the Talking Transitions service is ending, Southend City Council will continue speech and language screening through its Verbo programme.

What is ending:

 

Some ABSS-funded services will not continue in their current form after March 2025, including:

 

  • Bump to Breast project – A new community breastfeeding service will replace this initiative.
  • Peer Support Workers for Social and Communication Needs – This service will conclude in June 2025, with efforts ongoing to secure funding for future support.
  • Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Visiting Service – This will end in June 2025, but learnings will inform future NHS maternity and mental health services.
  • Let’s Talk Service – While this programme is closing, its insights will shape future speech and language initiatives.
  • Work Skills Programme – This service will end, though its learnings will influence future training and employment support for parents.

Media pack:

 

To access and download some supporting images, please visit https://abetterstartsouthend.co.uk/beyond-abss/