More than 700 families have been referred to Swindon's early help for children hub in the first five months of its work, councillors were told.

A report to Swindon Borough Council's health and wellbeing board, which includes councillors and enior figures form health services such as the Great Western Hospitals and the Clinical Commissioning Group said the hub has been set up earlier this year to help families which needed extra support but where significant harm to a child or children was not thought to be a risk.

The report, presented by council officer Louise Campion, said the reason for the hub's setting up was to provide " the best help we can provide at the earliest point improving children's and young people's life chances and reducing demand for specialist or crisis services.

"There is clear evidence nationally and locally that working in this way is effective

in providing the right help at the right time for children and families. "

With the hub set up in May, 133 referrals were made to it in June, with a spike of 220 in July, before 138 in August, 139 in September and then another jump to 173in October.

A website is to be set up to give families and practitioners such as doctors a single place of contact to access advice and support from the hub - it should be ready next year.