Information to support safeguarding partners with the implementation of children’s social care reforms, including:

• delivery expectations
• areas for local flexibility

This guide clarifies the support that will be provided to safeguarding partners through the Families First Partnership programme.

It is for all statutory safeguarding partners and other relevant agencies, including education and childcare settings, who work with children, young people and their families. This includes:

• senior and strategic leaders
• senior and middle managers
• those in direct practice

£500m funding made available over FY2025/26 through the Local Government Finance Settlement.

• Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant – £270 million of new funding (to note this figure has now increased by £20 million from the announcement in the LGFS Policy Statement in November; £13 million of which is for family group decision making);
• Children and Families Grant – £253.5 million of mainstreamed funding originally for the Supporting Families programme.

“Over time, nationally, we are expecting a significant reduction in the numbers of looked after children as a result of this investment.”