The Department for Education has published an updated Families First Partnership Programme guide on 26 March, marking the start of the next phase of the programme from April 2026.

The updated guide is intended to support safeguarding partnerships across England to implement Family Help and multi-agency child protection reforms, with a stronger focus on earlier intervention and the use of family networks. This includes greater use of Family Group Decision Making and the introduction of Family Network Support Packages to enable flexible, family led support.

The programme is underpinned by significant national investment, with over £2.4 billion confirmed for the next three years to support the government’s commitment to rebalancing the children’s social care system towards prevention. The 2026 to 2027 year marks a shift from planning into full implementation.

Key updates within the guide include clearer delivery expectations and timelines, confirmation that all local areas are expected to be fully operational by the end of March 2027, strengthened expectations for education and childcare settings within safeguarding partnerships, and the alignment of Family Help with targeted early help and child in need activity, in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.

The full guide is available via GOV.UK and should be shared widely across safeguarding partnership arrangements.