What is Families First?
Our approach to supporting children and families in Newcastle
Children’s Services in Newcastle is changing how we support children, young people and families across the city.
Driven by experienced Child Protection Lead Practitioners (CPLPs), senior social workers providing guidance and oversight, we want services, families, and communities to work together so support is available early, helping families build on their strengths and improve wellbeing.
Family-led decision-making and collaborative working are at the heart of these changes, ensuring Newcastle is an inclusive city where every child and young person can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and reach their full potential.
Why are we making these changes
Families First reform is a national initiative to shift practice towards earlier intervention and a more joined up, family-centred approach.
This requires meaningful engagement with families to ensure services are informed by lived experience, responsive to local need, and focused on building on strengths rather than responding to crisis.
By embedding this approach, we can better coordinate support across partners, improve outcomes for children and families, and make more effective use of resources by reducing demand on statutory services over time.
What’s changing
We’re improving how support is delivered to make it more joined-up, consistent and easier to access.
A new Family Help assessment will be in place from 29 June 2026 for all families receiving support. This will replace different approaches used previously and create a more consistent experience.
Further changes will be introduced gradually, allowing us to learn as we progress and continue listening to feedback.
How we’re improving services
CFN Connect (formerly Front Door).
No single service has the full picture of a child’s life. That’s why agencies work together to keep children safe.
CFN Protect
Bringing together a multiagency team including partners including the Police, Health and Education to:
- Share information and assess risks together
- Lead strategy discussions and decisions
- Oversee child protection enquiries and plans
- Support children when entering care
- Work closely with wider services (e.g. mental health, housing, domestic abuse support
Family Help
Family Help provides local, early, voluntary support tailored to each family’s needs.
Local teams include:
- Family Help Lead Practitioners
- Family Support Workers
They work alongside families to:
- Build strong, respectful relationships
- Identify strengths and find solutions together
- Coordinate support and act as a main point of contact
- Work with other professionals when needed
Support is reviewed regularly to make sure it remains helpful and appropriate.
Working together
Strong partnerships are at the heart of this approach. We will continue working closely with all services and communities to improve outcomes for children and families in Newcastle.