Every child in York deserves to:
- have their needs met
- grow up feeling safe, connected, supported,
- belong to a community that cares, so that they can reach their full potential
And every parent deserves to know they’re not doing it alone.
Becoming and being a parent or carer can be tricky. Children do not come with a manual and it can feel like a lonely experience. Our Best Start in Life plan aims to support all parents to benefit from shared experiences to help them along the journey.
Read the foreward to York's Best Start in Life local plan by Cllr Webb and Cllr Steels-Walshaw, along with our vision for the Best Start in Life and more about the need for change.
Key pillars of the Best Start in Life
Everything we do is designed to ensure families can 'Connect, Support, Belong'; these 3 pillars sit at the centre of our neighbourhood model and define what ‘a Best Start’ feels like in York.
The 3 key pillars of the Best Start in Life plan are:
1. Connect - because every family needs people around them
Connection is what makes the early years feel less overwhelming and more fun. It's the conversations at playgroup, the neighbour who smiles, the other parent who ‘gets it’.
When families connect, confidence grows and children feel secure. Social networks provide essential emotional support, connected families are more empowered to live healthier, happier lives.
2. Support - because help should be easy to find, not a maze to navigate.
Support should feel simple, human, and close to home. No repeated stories, no confusion about where to go next; just people working together so families get what they need, when they need it.
3. Belong - because feeling part of a community helps children grow and parents thrive.
Belonging gives families roots. It turns neighbourhoods into places where parents feel seen and valued, and where children grow up surrounded by people who care.
A strong sense of community connection directly improves mental and physical health, which are building blocks for development.
Best Start in Life plan is York’s commitment to building a system where families can connect, feel supported, and that they truly belong.
The plan has been shaped by the voices of parents, carers, practitioners, and community partners who told us what is working and what needs to change.