Committee Report Examines The First 1,000 Days Of Life

The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee has published a new report, First 1000 Days: a renewed focus, examining how effectively England is supporting children and families during the critical period from conception to age two.

The inquiry revisits the Committee’s 2019 work on early childhood and assesses progress made since then. It focuses on the systems and services intended to give children the best possible start in life, including Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme, health visiting, workforce capacity, vaccination uptake, and integration between services.

The Committee highlights strong evidence that the first 1,000 days are crucial for long-term outcomes in health, education and wellbeing. While early intervention is widely recognised as cost-effective, the report notes that England continues to perform poorly on several child health indicators compared to other European countries, including obesity, oral health, vaccination coverage and infant mortality.

A significant part of the report examines the role of Family Hubs, which are intended to provide joined-up, community-based support for families. The Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment to expand Family Hubs to every local authority area but raises concerns about funding levels, consistency of provision, and access, particularly for families with the greatest need. It notes that current funding remains well below historic levels seen under the Sure Start programme, while services are expected to cover a broader age range.

The report also identifies substantial workforce pressures. Health visitor numbers have fallen sharply over the past decade, with the Committee estimating a shortfall of around 5,000 posts nationally. It warns that high caseloads are limiting the ability of services to deliver mandated visits and provide early support and calls for a funded plan to rebuild the workforce.

Vaccination uptake is another area of concern. The Committee notes a steady decline in coverage since 2012, alongside significant regional and demographic variation. It recommends reinstating the 95% vaccination coverage target in NHS planning guidance and improving coordination at local level.

Finally, the report stresses the importance of better integration between health, early years and family services. It supports the development of a shared outcomes framework and improved data sharing, arguing that these are essential to delivering more joined-up, preventative support for children and families.

While the report is not focused on rural areas specifically, its findings and recommendations apply across England and have implications for all communities. The Committee’s conclusions underline the importance of sustained investment, workforce capacity and effective coordination in delivering early years services that work for families wherever they live.

Read the full report here