Labour Funds St Kilda’s Family Hub in Havering Romford 

Key Points

• Havering Council’s Cabinet announced on Wednesday 14 January that the St Kilda’s Children’s Centre in Eastern Road, Romford, would be the chief beneficiary of the Labour Government’s new Family Hub funding, with satellite projects coming to Harold Hill.
• The project combines assistance for residents in the areas of Health, Education, and Social Care.
• It represents a refresh of Sure Start, the transformative Labour programme cut off by the last Conservative government.
• Councillor Keith Darvill welcomed the news, noting the Romford site is generally accessible to most of the borough.
• Darvill emphasised that future expansion must take into account the south of the borough.
• The Labour Party in Havering has always recognised the value of early intervention, having campaigned against the closure of Elm Park Children’s Centre.
• In Havering’s particular financial situation, any ability to head off future crises through present education is welcome.

Romford (East London Times) 19 January 2026 – Havering Council’s Cabinet has confirmed that St Kilda’s Children’s Centre in Eastern Road, Romford, will lead the borough’s delivery of the Labour Government’s new Family Hub funding, with satellite projects set to extend support into Harold Hill and beyond.

What is the Labour Government’s Family Hub Programme?

The Family Hub initiative marks a significant investment in early years support, designed to integrate services across Health, Education, and Social Care into accessible community locations. This approach echoes the principles of the original Sure Start programme, which Labour launched in the early 2000s to provide holistic family assistance but which suffered substantial cuts under subsequent Conservative administrations. By centralising multiple forms of help under one roof, the hubs aim to make it easier for parents and carers to access advice, health checks, educational resources, and social care without navigating fragmented systems.

In Havering, this national policy translates into a targeted local response, with the Cabinet’s decision positioning Romford’s St Kilda’s Children’s Centre as the flagship site. Satellite projects in Harold Hill will ensure that families in more peripheral areas can tap into the same network, fostering a borough-wide safety net for vulnerable households. The programme’s emphasis on early intervention positions it as a proactive measure, seeking to address challenges before they escalate into costlier crises.

Why Was St Kilda’s Children’s Centre Chosen as the Main Hub?

St Kilda’s Children’s Centre on Eastern Road in Romford offers central accessibility for the majority of Havering residents, making it an ideal anchor for the Family Hub rollout. Its location facilitates broad reach across the borough, serving as a primary point of contact for families seeking integrated support. The Cabinet’s announcement on 14 January underscores this strategic choice, highlighting how the centre’s existing infrastructure can be rapidly adapted to deliver the full spectrum of Family Hub services.

This decision builds on the centre’s established role in early years provision, allowing for seamless expansion into health visiting, parenting workshops, and social care referrals. By starting with a well-positioned site, Havering Council aims to demonstrate quick wins in service delivery, paving the way for replication in other areas. The selection also reflects careful planning to maximise impact within limited resources, ensuring the funding delivers tangible benefits from day one.

What Role Will Harold Hill Play in the Expansion?

Harold Hill emerges as a key focus for the initial satellite projects, extending the Family Hub model beyond Romford town centre to reach families in this northern community. These outposts will mirror the core offerings of the main hub, providing localised access to Health, Education, and Social Care without requiring long journeys. This phased approach allows Havering to test and refine delivery in a high-need area before broader rollout.

Residents in Harold Hill stand to gain from tailored interventions, such as play sessions, developmental screenings, and family support groups, all linked back to the Romford hub for specialist referrals. The inclusion of this area addresses geographic equity, recognising that outer borough neighbourhoods often face unique barriers to service uptake. Satellite status ensures these projects remain connected to the central programme, maintaining consistency in quality and standards.

How Does This Funding Revive Sure Start Principles?

The new Family Hubs are explicitly framed as a refresh of Sure Start, the Labour initiative that transformed early intervention by embedding services in disadvantaged communities. Sure Start centres once offered a lifeline through free childcare, health advice, and family counselling, but their network was drastically reduced under Conservative austerity measures, which Labour describes as a cruel dismantling of proven support. Havering’s adoption of the refreshed model signals a return to these integrated, community-based principles, adapted for modern needs.

By combining Health, Education, and Social Care, the hubs recreate Sure Start’s one-stop-shop ethos, emphasising prevention over reaction. This revival holds particular resonance in a borough like Havering, where past closures have left gaps in provision. The programme’s design prioritises evidence-based interventions, drawing on Sure Start’s legacy of improving child outcomes in literacy, behaviour, and health.

What Welcome Has Councillor Keith Darvill Offered?

Councillor Keith Darvill has warmly welcomed the Cabinet’s announcement, praising the choice of St Kilda’s for its general accessibility to most of the borough. He highlighted how the Romford location positions the Family Hub to serve a wide cross-section of residents effectively. Darvill’s endorsement underscores the practical advantages of the site, framing it as a foundation for sustainable growth.

In his statement, Councillor Darvill noted the broader value of such initiatives amid Havering’s challenges. His positive reception balances enthusiasm with a call for measured expansion, ensuring the project gains momentum without overpromising.

Why Must Future Expansion Consider the South of the Borough?

Councillor Keith Darvill was keen to emphasise that future expansion must take into account the south of the borough, warning against any oversight of southern communities. Areas like Elm Park and Rainham require equivalent attention to prevent a north-south divide in service access. This priority reflects Darvill’s commitment to equitable distribution, ensuring no families are excluded by geography.

Planning for southern inclusion involves scouting additional satellite sites and tailoring services to local demographics. Darvill’s insistence elevates this as a core condition for the programme’s success, aligning with borough-wide fairness.

What is Havering Labour’s Track Record on Early Intervention?

The Labour Party in Havering has always recognised the value of early intervention, exemplified by their sustained campaign against the closure of Elm Park Children’s Centre. This advocacy demonstrated a principled stand for community-based support long before national funding arrived. Councillor Keith Darvill referenced this history to affirm Labour’s consistent prioritisation of preventative services.

Their efforts preserved awareness of early years needs, even in tough times. Now, with government backing, Labour can translate that advocacy into action, rebuilding what was lost.

How Does Havering’s Financial Situation Amplify the Impact?

Havering finds itself in a particular financial situation, with budget constraints limiting local authority spending. In this context, external funding like the Family Hubs programme offers a critical lifeline for sustaining vital services. Councillor Keith Darvill stated that

“in the particular financial situation Havering finds itself in, any ability to head off future crisis through present education is welcome.”

This perspective frames the hubs as a fiscal safeguard, investing modestly now to avert expensive interventions later. Early education and support reduce long-term reliance on social services, easing pressure on strained resources. The funding’s arrival thus represents strategic relief, bolstering resilience without adding to council debts.

What Broader Lessons Can Other Boroughs Draw?

Havering’s experience illustrates how national Family Hub funding can be localised to address specific needs, blending central directives with borough realities. The model’s success hinges on site selection, phased expansion, and political consensus. Councillor Darvill’s balanced commentary exemplifies the leadership required to champion such initiatives.

For neighbouring areas in East London, this could inspire similar bids, adapting the Sure Start refresh to urban challenges. The emphasis on integration offers a blueprint for efficient service delivery.

How Will Families Access These New Services?

Families will access services through St Kilda’s as the entry point, with referrals flowing to Harold Hill satellites and beyond. Drop-in sessions, appointments, and online signposting will facilitate uptake. Health visitors, educators, and social workers will staff the hubs, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Outreach will target hard-to-reach groups, with transport links and flexible hours enhancing inclusivity. Monitoring will track engagement, refining the offer over time.

What Challenges Lie Ahead for the Rollout?

Challenges include securing sustained funding, recruiting skilled staff, and measuring outcomes amid financial pressures. Southern expansion demands swift site identification to match northern progress. Councillor Darvill’s cautions highlight the need for adaptive planning.

Yet, with Labour’s commitment and council backing, these hurdles appear surmountable. The programme’s preventive focus positions it for enduring value.