Newham Council Opens East Ham Family Support Hub to Provide Wide Range of Advice and Referrals

06 November 2026

Newham Council has launched the first of a planned network of Best Start Family Hubs at East Ham Library.

The East Ham Family Hub offers a one-stop shop for families needing support with a range of issues. Services include benefits advice, debt support, employment guidance, housing support, and referrals for childcare and early years education. The hub also connects families to counselling, parenting initiatives, and help with the cost of living.

"With the launch of this pilot, Newham is at the forefront of delivering integrated family support," said Councillor Azhra Shah, Newham Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Youth and Adult Social Care and Community Services. "By bringing together local services, residents can access multiple services in one place, with dedicated Family Navigators guiding them to the support they need."

The East Ham Family Hub is open for drop-in Family Navigator support on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:30am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. It serves East Ham, Plaistow and surrounding areas.

East Ham is an initiative to pilot the Family Hub model in Newham. In March, the council won a £4 million Family Hubs and Start for Life grant from the government to create three more hubs across the borough.

The council says the East Ham pilot is an important step in developing a network of joined-up family support. By 2025, it envisions a network of four hubs serving the whole borough - providing crucial early help and support from pregnancy through young adulthood. Those with special educational needs and disabilities can access support up to age 25 at the hubs.

"The launch of the East Ham Family Hub is a milestone in the council's vision for integrated family services," said Councillor Shah. "With further hubs planned, and the support of a dedicated grant, Newham is set to become a model of effective, community-based family support."

How It Works

At the heart of the Family Hub model are Family Navigators - dedicated staff available to guide families through everything the hub offers, and to connect them to related council or local group services as well.

At the East Ham hub, Family Navigators can advise on everything from school applications and access to early education to finding a GP, education and training options, job and careers support, money and financial guidance, help with special educational needs, domestic abuse advice and food support.

The Hub also provides practical help with a range of issues around wellbeing, including alcohol and drugs, mental health and family relationships. There are a wide range of parenting groups, infant feeding support, stay and play sessions and other early years services available as well.

The council aims to make the hubs easy to access - extending support to all Newham families, from early pregnancy through to young adulthood, with additional support up to 25 available for young people needing it. Importantly, there is no means-test or other barriers to eligibility.