Support for parents and families

Families in Hackney can access local activities, parenting programmes, short-term early support and more structured help.

You can contact one of the services below directly, or you can speak to a trusted professional, such as a midwife, health visitor, early years worker, teacher or GP to find out what support may be right for your family.

In this video, GPs, health visitors, paediatricians and children's centres come together to explain the resources that are available to new parents.

Children and Family Hubs

Children and Family Hubs bring together council, health, and community services to support families with children and young people aged 0 to 19, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Support in Children and Family Hubs:

• You can sign up for free parenting programmes and online courses to help you understand your child’s development and build on your confidence as a parent
• The Family Foundations team will work with you to understand what’s going on and find solutions for all sorts of parenting worries, such as:
  • routines, sleep and behaviour
  • child learning and development
  • family relationships, conflict or feelings of isolation
  • school attendance or school-related experiences
  • access to health and wellbeing support
  • housing or financial worries
• Contact Family Foundations by emailing familyfoundations@hackney.gov.uk or calling your local Children and Family Hub
• The Family Help Service provides more structured support when issues are having an ongoing impact on family life. They will work with you to understand your family’s needs and agree a plan of support with you

Hackney Family Information Service

The Family Information Service (FIS) is a searchable online directory with free impartial information and guidance on:

• childcare options
• paying for childcare
• funded childcare for children aged 2 to 4
• advice on local services and activities for children and families

The FIS has information about the full range of parenting support services available

• View information about parenting programmes
• View the FIS leaflet (PDF)

Contact the FIS:

• Call 020 8820 7590, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
• Email fis@hackney.gov.uk

You can also meet the team in person: 
Wednesdays, from 11am to 1pm
Hackney Service Centre, 
1 Hillman Street
E8 1DY

Call 020 8820 7590 to book an appointment.

If you are worried about a child or young person

If you are worried about a child or young person living in Hackney, you can contact the Multi Agency Support Hub (MASH) for advice and guidance and to request support. 

Decisions about the most appropriate next steps for a child and family are made in line with the Hackney child wellbeing framework.

Local services for birth to five years

Your child's journey from birth to five is an interactive online guide with trusted information for each age and stage of your child’s development.

It includes information about health and development reviews, immunisations, feeding, play and learning, and childcare.

• View the our journey birth to five resources
• Listen to the childhood immunisations podcast

Other support

0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service

Visit Hackney Local Offer for services and support for families with children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities or additional needs.