Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 2, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 12.1 The Commissioning Officer introduced the report which outlined the developments and plans to date within the programme and requested delegation of the funding to the Strategic Director of Children’s Services in order that they begin to implement the programme plans.     12.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:- a)    Note the developments and plans within the Families First Partnership Programme to date following its introduction in April 2025. b)    Approve the delegation of both the Children's Social Care Prevention Grant (£4,226,573) and the Children and Families Grant (£4,367,414 - £2,991,266 of this is what was previously referred to as Supporting Families, now known as Family Help) to the Strategic Director of Children’s Services in order to realise the plans set out in this document (Total: £8,593,987).     12.3 Reasons for Decision     12.3.1 The ambition is to build on existing good practice in the city to further improve the network of services, processes and interactions that aim to help children, young people, and families from the earliest opportunity through to the highest level of need. If we continue to develop our system, we will see vulnerable families thrive, becoming empowered to become resilient over time and build connections to their local community. Our local services will also be joined-up, flexible and responsive to new challenges, becoming sustainable for the long-term creating stronger multi-agency partnerships which work together to understand local trends, predict emerging need, and respond to those needing additional help. It is therefore essential that we continue our ambitions with the full approval of the committee.     12.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     12.4.1 The national Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) is expected to be implemented following the significant groundwork laid through the release of The Families First Partnership (FFP) Programme Guide in April 2025. This document was created following the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and the national consultation, Stable Homes, Built on Love     12.4.2 As part of the Children’s Social Care and Prevention Grant, there are also over five pages of detailed grant conditions, outlining the requirements and expectations for Local Authorities. In addition, the national team is hosting a series of webinars designed to support the implementation of the reforms, sharing best practices while also allowing for flexibility throughout the year to ensure local authorities can adapt the programme in a manner that complements their unique approaches and ways of working.