Halton Borough Council’s Family Hubs team is inviting local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to attend a free borough-wide summit focused on giving children the best start in life.
Taking place on Thursday 16 July 2026 at The Heath Business & Technical Park, Runcorn, the event will bring together partners from across the sector to strengthen collaboration and shape how services support children and families locally.
The afternoon summit will include presentations on national priorities around early years, Family Hubs and SEND, alongside opportunities to network and share ideas. Attendees will also hear about new ways of working together to improve access to support and outcomes for families.
A new round of the Halton Family Fund will also be launched at the event, offering small grants to support local organisations delivering activities aligned with the Best Start in Life programme.
The event includes a buffet lunch and networking session, followed by the main programme. It is open to a wide range of groups supporting children and families, including charities, community organisations, faith groups and grassroots initiatives.
Event Details
Venue: The Heath Business & Technical Park, Runcorn, WA7 4QX
Date: Thursday 16th July 2026
Time:12:00pm – 4:00pm
This summit will:
- Share the latest national direction and expectations for Best Start Family Hubs
- Strengthen relationships between services and the VCFSE sector
- Support better integration and partnership working across the system
- Clarify how organisations can contribute to the Best Start offer
- Provide space to network, share ideas, and influence future delivery
PLUS: Be among the first to hear about and access new funding opportunities for your organisation
What Will Be Covered:
- Best Start in Life – National Vision. Understanding government priorities for early years, Family Hubs, and SEND
- The Role of the VCFSE Sector. How your organisation is key to reaching families and improving outcomes
- Working Together Differently. Building stronger
- partnerships, reducing duplication, and improving access
- Best Start SEND and Inclusion. Supporting children withadditional needs earlier and more effectively
- Developing a Joined-Up Local Offer. Creating a clear, accessible system for families across Halton
- Launch of the Halton Family Fund (New Round). A new round of small grant funding to support organisations to deliver activity that improves outcomes for children and families as part of the Best Start in Life programme
Funding Opportunity – The Family Fund
A new round of the Halton Family Fund will be launched, providing small grants to VCFSE organisations to help deliver the Best Start in Life vision.
At the summit you will:
- Find out who can apply and what funding is available
- Understand priority themes and expectations
- Learn how your organisation can support families locally
- Get details on the application process and timescales
Who Should Attend?
- Voluntary and community organisations
- Faith groups
- Social enterprises
- Parent/carer groups
- Charities supporting children and families
- Community leaders and grassroots organisations
Why This Matters
We know that early support changes lives. By working together as a connected system, we can:
- Identify needs earlier
- Provide the right support at the right time
- Improve outcomes for children from birth to school age
- Ensure families feel supported, not overwhelmed
To find out more or book a place, visit the online booking page or contact familyhubs@halton.gov.uk.