GM Early Years Mental Health Hub (2-5s Project) - Supporting Positive Parent Child Relationships in the Early Years

Overview

You are invited to contribute to the development of the Greater Manchester Early Years Mental Health Hub (2-5 Project), a two-year test and learn project commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

This project aims to better understand and respond to the social and emotional development and mental health needs of children aged 2–5 years and their parents/carers across Greater Manchester. The Hub will be co-designed with professionals, families, and services to ensure it is inclusive, integrated, and aligned with existing early years provision.

Social and Emotional Development (also known as Personal Social Emotional Development or PSED) refers to children’s developing ability to form relationships, manage emotions, and regulate behaviour—key foundations for lifelong mental health and wellbeing. This has also been called “becoming” mentally well (Hogg and Moody 2023).

We use the term mental health in its broadest sense. Just like physical health, everyone has mental health. For young children, positive mental health is supported by secure relationships, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to play, communicate, and connect. However, some children and families may experience challenges that impact on wellbeing, emotions, relationships, and the growing development of these.

We know there are gaps in current data and understanding of early years mental health locally and nationally. Your insight as a professional working with young children and families is essential to help us build a clearer picture of:

• Current needs and emerging challenges
• Strengths and effective practice across services
• Gaps in provision and support pathways
• Opportunities for early intervention and prevention

Why your views matter

Your responses will help to:

• Identify need, demand, and inequalities across Greater Manchester
• Highlight and build on good practice already in place
• Inform the development of integrated, GM-wide and place-based approaches
• Shape a family-centred, early intervention model of support for young children and their caregivers

This survey is aimed at professionals working in the early years sector, including those in childcare settings, health services, play provision, family support roles, VCFSE (voluntary, community, faith, social enterprise) and many more!

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and expertise. Your contribution will play a vital role in shaping future support for young children and families across Greater Manchester.

All responses will be anonymised.