If you’ve ever been to St James Centre Family Hub in North Birkenhead, you’ll know it’s no ordinary building. It’s a lively, welcoming space at the heart of the community – a place where people of all ages come together to chat, learn, play, and support one another.

Dedicated stay and play sessions for children with autism or social and communication difficulties are providing a safe and secure environment for children to play their own way and be themselves.

An inspection by OFSTED and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) notes that “things are changing for the better”, but Wirral’s Area SEND Partnership has “considerable work remaining” to ensure a consistently positive experience for children and young people with SEND.

Wirral is leading on the introduction of a new neurodiversity profiling tool for Cheshire and Merseyside. The pilot will help the borough’s neurodiverse children.

Parenting can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. Across Wirral parents are supporting each other through the Being a Parent course - a free, practical, and supportive programme designed for parents and carers of children aged 2–11 years.

Wirral Council’s Compass team work directly with families and young people around a range of issues.

Help and support with finances and debts is available to all families across Wirral. Family Hubs provide a range of support for families, including free and confidential money and debt advice in partnership with Citizens Advice Wirral.

Local holiday clubs will be opening their doors to keep the young people active, engaged and learning new things.

Let's make this Easter half term eggs-tra special!

As one of ten local authorities selected to deliver the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme in April 2024, Wirral Council will continue this innovative work and will support authorities across the North West to embed these changes under the new guidance.

Family life can be full of challenges, but support is always within reach at Wirral’s Family Hubs. Whether you’re looking for advice on parenting, need support with finances, or just want to connect with other families, the Family Hubs are here for you.

Wirral Council has led the regional partnership for the Step Up to Social Work programme for eight cohorts, successfully training more than 225 social workers.