Sefton Council is preparing to implement the Government’s Families First Partnership reforms, building on the significant progress already made across children’s services and strengthening support for local children, young people and families.

Biggest reform of family support

Described nationally as the biggest reform of family support and safeguarding services in a generation, the Families First Partnership programme aims to ensure families can access the right support earlier, helping prevent difficulties from escalating and enabling more children to remain safely with their families wherever possible.

The reforms place a strong focus on earlier intervention, easier access to support, stronger partnership working and a more joined-up approach through the principles of one family, one plan and one lead practitioner. They also introduce a single front door for support, neighbourhood-based teams and closer integration between schools, health services and social care.

Engagement and coproduction

In Sefton, the new operating model has been developed through extensive engagement with children, young people, families, schools, health partners and community organisations. Feedback consistently highlighted the need for earlier support, fewer handovers between services, better communication and one trusted person to help coordinate support when families need it.

The new approach will create integrated neighbourhood teams across the borough, making it easier for families to access support closer to home through trusted local settings including Family Hubs, schools and community venues.

Right support at the right time

Councillor Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said: "Families First is about making sure families can get help sooner, more easily and from people they know and trust. By bringing services together around children and families, we can provide the right support at the right time and help prevent problems from escalating.

"These reforms are a natural next step in Sefton’s improvement journey. We have worked hard with our partners to build stronger services for children and young people, and Families First gives us an opportunity to go even further by creating a system that is simpler, more connected and focused on outcomes."

Continuing improvement journey

The approach builds on Sefton’s improvement journey in children’s services, with significant progress recognised by Ofsted through its latest ‘Good’ inspection rating.

The borough is also playing a leading role regionally through the development of the Regional Care Cooperative, helping shape services that deliver better outcomes for children and young people across Cheshire and Merseyside.

The Families First Partnership model will introduce:

• A single integrated front door for support.
• Neighbourhood-based Family Help teams.
• One family, one plan and one lead practitioner.
• Stronger links between schools, Family Hubs, health services and community organisations.
• Enhanced safeguarding through multi-agency working.
• Greater involvement of families in decision-making.
• Better support for children with SEND and additional needs.
• Increased focus on helping children stay safely within their families and communities.

Sefton's vision is that every child and family can access help easily, feel heard and thrive through trusted relationships, inclusive communities and strong partnerships. The reforms are expected to reduce duplication, improve coordination between services and ensure children and families only have to tell their story once.

Implementation will continue over the coming months, with the ambition of having the full Families First operating model in place by March 2027. The programme will continue to be shaped by feedback from children, young people, families and partners as it develops.

The latest updates and opportunities to be involved can be found by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/FFP