The hub would support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and politicians in the borough are calling for it to be based at the Oak Meadow Children’s Centre.
Hampshire County Council is expected to decide on the location of the Best Start Family Hub by January 2026.
Fareham councillors at a meeting on December 18 united behind the proposal, with Fort Fareham’s Labour councillor Gemma Furnivall bringing forward a motion backed by Fareham Park’s Conservative councillor Fred Birkett.
The plan also has the support of Suella Braverman, MP for Fareham and Waterlooville.
Cllr Furnivall said the Oak Meadow site would serve one of the most deprived parts of the borough and offer a comprehensive support model.
The proposed hub would include vital SEND services, which are currently lacking in the Fareham area.
Family hubs are designed to provide support for parents and carers of children from birth to age 19, and up to 25 for those with SEND.
The service would also extend support to pregnant women and young people in the same age brackets.
Councillors also heard from resident Steve Higgins, who spoke about his 14-year-old grandchild who has been out of school for two and a half years due to a lack of suitable support.
Mr Higgins, who is a governor at three schools, said: “Early start centres are crucial in supporting families.”
He highlighted the importance of having a dedicated SEND professional at the hub.
With cross-party backing, Fareham Borough Council has now agreed to formally recommend Oak Meadow Children’s Centre as the preferred location for the new hub.
A letter will be sent to Hampshire County Council before the end of December.
Hampshire County Council has been awarded £369,757 in government funding through the Best Start in Life programme to develop family hubs across the county.
Mrs Braverman had planned to speak at the council meeting but instead submitted a letter expressing her support.
Mrs Braverman said: “As a passionate believer that anyone in our country should be able to achieve anything, no matter their background or where they come from, especially concerning SEND, it is vital we work together on this issue to ensure that this is possible.”
However, she also called for a careful and evidence-based approach, urging that the final decision be made in collaboration with the county council.
Mrs Braverman said: “HCC has said they will take all local concerns on board in their evidence-based review and will consider all the available options for where the hub will be.
“They have also made clear that this hub is here to serve local families and those with a SEND connection. That is the right thing to do.”
Hampshire County Council has already identified Leigh Park in Havant as the location for another family hub.