Delivering Families First and the Children’s Social Care Reset
Government sets out roadmap for children’s social care reform
The Department for Education has published Delivering the Children’s Social Care Reset: An Implementation Plan for Local Partners 2026–2029, providing a national roadmap for the next phase of children’s social care reform.
The plan outlines how government, local authorities, health services, police, education and wider partners will work together to strengthen support for children and families. Key priorities include the national roll-out of the Families First Partnership programme, greater involvement of family networks in decision-making, strengthened child protection arrangements, and improved support for children in care and care leavers.
The reforms are designed to help families access support at an earlier stage, reduce the need for crisis intervention, and ensure that children who cannot remain at home are cared for in stable, loving and high-quality placements. The implementation plan also highlights the importance of a skilled workforce, stronger multi-agency partnerships and improved accountability across the system.
For safeguarding partners, the publication provides a clear indication of the changes that will be introduced between 2026 and 2029 and the role of local agencies in delivering the government’s vision for a more preventative, family-focused children’s social care system.
