Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Early Years Service recently took part in research which explored the integration of early learning, education and childcare with broader early years family support.
The research, commissioned by Nesta and carried out by ISOS Partnership worked closely with nine councils including Blackburn with Darwen Council to gain qualitative and quantitative data to inform the report. Information was also gathered from 65 other local authorities via online forms.
Conducted between summer 2025 and spring 2026, the study aimed to understand current approaches to integration and to recommend how a more joined-up early years system can be built for the future.
The boroughs perinatal mental health services and the network of family hubs and children’s centres were featured as case studies within the report.
The Perinatal Mental Health case study highlighted Blackburn with Darwen’s commitment to joined up, holistic, whole system support for families which included a range of community and health services such as; Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PAIRs), Lancashire Women providing support to parents of children in neonatal intensive care units; enhanced home visiting support from Home-Start and Dads Matter and support from Lancashire Mind for parents who have experienced miscarriage or baby loss.
The second case study referenced the boroughs network of Family Hubs and Children’s Centres offering support to families and providing health visits, midwifery, paediatrics, early years development, SEND, early help, and a range of community services via a single one stop-shop.
Executive Member of Children’s, Young People and Education, Julie Gunn said;
"In Blackburn with Darwen, we recognise that high-quality early education and childcare, delivered through our valued network of private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers and childminders, is key to giving children the best start in life. Through strong partnerships across Early Years, Early Help, Family Hubs and the wider Start for Life programme, we have created a connected system of support for children and families.
"High-quality early education helps children’s learning, development, and school readiness, while coordinated support for parents and carers strengthens family wellbeing, resilience and the home learning environment.
"Together, these services help children and families thrive and contribute to increasing numbers of children achieving a good level of development. This is a central part of Blackburn with Darwen’s Best Start in Life strategy."
Find out more about the early year’s education and provision on offer throughout Blackburn with Darwen
About ISOS Partnership
Isos Partnership is a research and advisory company with a track record of successful delivery over two decades. We work with national and local government, charities, schools and trusts to develop policy and improve education and services for children and families. Find out more on the Isos Partnerships website.
About Nesta
Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time. Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions. Find out more on the Nesta website.