South Lanarkshire’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) has approved a landmark £2 million investment to strengthen support in the earliest years of life – a period universally recognised in public health evidence as the foundation for lifelong wellbeing.
Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of the South Lanarkshire IJB, said: “This decision and this investment is demonstrative of the South Lanarkshire IJB’s clear belief that every child deserves the strongest start possible.
“This is why we have chosen to put children and families at the heart of our priorities.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to our local leadership team. Their dedication, innovation and determination have enabled us to take this substantial and bold step for the good of our population’s health and wellbeing.”
This significant commitment will help accelerate the Marmot Place Programme in South Lanarkshire, a collaborative initiative focused on tackling child poverty and improving early years outcomes. These priorities align directly with the IJB’s Strategic Commissioning Plan and its core ambition to nurture children and families.
Local mum Danielle Cairney from Hamilton knows just how important early years support can be, having attended a Happy Babies group with all her children.
Danielle said: “The staff have been amazing and it’s a great support network and a real sense of community. I’ve made some really good friends with other mums.”
Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The early years shape so much of a child’s future – how they learn, how healthy they are and the opportunities they have as adults.
“By strengthening how we work together across all our local services and with local communities, we can make sure that more children get the solid foundations they need to thrive throughout their lives.”
This investment reflects a commitment shared with South Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire, third sector partners and all those working across the local Community Planning Partnership to strengthen early years support and improve population health.
Jimmy Wilson, Interim CEO of Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLan), said: “The third sector is often the first point of contact for families in need and we see first-hand the impact that investment in children and in their future can have.
“By working hand‑in‑hand with our statutory partners and local communities, we can and will shape solutions that genuinely make a difference.”
Public Health Scotland is a core partner in the Collaboration for Health Equity, bringing national expertise, evidence and leadership to the Marmot Place Programme in South Lanarkshire.
Ally Boyle MBE, Chair of Public Health Scotland, said: “We warmly welcome this bold investment by the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board.
“Choosing to prioritise the earliest years, especially in such a challenging financial climate, signals real leadership and a clear commitment to improving health and reducing inequalities.
“South Lanarkshire is showing how local partners and national organisations can work together to turn evidence into practical action, delivering meaningful, measurable impact for communities.”
Notes to Editors
The Marmot Place Programme is part of a wider national approach supporting local areas to reduce health inequalities.
Early years investment is strongly supported by evidence highlighting the importance of the first 1,000 days in shaping long‑term physical, emotional and social outcomes.
This £2 million investment will focus on strengthening early identification, family support and partnership delivery models across South Lanarkshire.
