Who this section is for

If you are a member of children, families and schools staff or would like to help us create our local Families First Partnership programme, this section provides guidance on:

• what the Families First Partnership is

• why the Families First Partnership matters

• who our partners are

• how you can get involved.

The national picture

The Families First Partnership (FFP) is the government's national programme for reforming children's social care in England and is led by the Department for Education. It sets out how local areas should strengthen family support and multi-agency child protection, with a clear focus on getting help to families earlier and keeping children safely at home where possible.

FFP is part of the government's response to the Independent Review of Children's Social Care, known as the MacAlister Review. Together with the reform programme Stable Homes, Built on Love, it aims to move children's services away from responding to crises and towards more consistent, relationship-based support for children, young people, and families.

The programme affects everyone who works with children and families, including:

• practitioners
• managers and leaders
• safeguarding partners across social care, health, education, and the police
• programme and project teams to develop their own local model.

It does not replace existing statutory guidance but sets out the practice and system changes the government expects to see over time.

FFP is also linked to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which provides the legal framework to support these reforms and the government's ambition to give every child the best start in life.

Why it matters

For a long time, children's social care in England has focused on responding to problems after they have become serious. That means many families only get help when things have reached a crisis point. This is not good for children, families, or the people who work with them.

The Families First Partnership is changing that as it shifts the focus to earlier, relationship-based support, so families get help sooner. Families who get the right support early are less likely to go through care proceedings or have children enter care.

FFP matters because it improves outcomes for children and families while supporting better professional practice.

• Children are safer and supported earlier

  By working together and stepping in sooner, we can address risks before they escalate and help more children stay safely within their families.

• Families feel heard and empowered

  Families are placed at the centre of decision making. It builds on their strengths and supports them to be active partners in finding solutions.

• Professionals work more effectively together

  Clear roles, shared responsibility, and a single family-focused approach to reduce silo working and help practitioners feel more confident and consistent in their practice.

• Better experiences, better outcomes

  When families experience respectful, joined-up support, they are more likely to engage and sustain positive change.

The changes are also designed to:

• reduce caseloads over time
• make multi-agency working more joined up
• give practitioners more time to build real relationships with the families they support.

Ultimately, FFP helps us deliver the right help, at the right time, in the right way. It makes sure our practice reflects our values and our commitment to improving the lives of children and families across the East Riding.

Our partners

The partnership brings together organisations across East Riding that work with children and families. It is led locally by the three statutory safeguarding partners:

• East Riding of Yorkshire Council - we lead on children's services, early help, and social care, and coordinate our local FFP programme.
• Humberside Police - work with partners to protect children, share information, and respond to safeguarding concerns.
• NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board - brings together health services to make sure children and families get joined-up health and social care support.

Together, these partners are responsible for the governance and delivery of FFP locally.

The programme also involves a broader group of organisations, including:

• children's services practitioners
• schools and education settings
• health teams
• probation
• public health
• community and voluntary sector organisations.

Our approach

We would like your help and support to develop and co-design our own local model. You may:

• work within children’s social care
• have your own experiences from being a parent or carer
• volunteer that involves interaction with children
• have an idea or suggestion that could form part of our approach.

There are a range of ways you can get involved no matter which service area you work in.