Families First Partnership Programme

The Families First Partnership Programme is a national reform that transforms how children, young people and families receive help and protection. This page explains the key changes for Cheshire West and Chester, including the shift to a single Family Help service, the role of multi‑disciplinary working, and developments in child protection arrangements.

What is the Families First Partnership Programme?

The Families First Partnership Programme brings together three major reforms:

• Family Help – a single service replacing the previous distinction between Targeted Early Help and Children in Need (Section 17).
• Multi Agency Child Protection Teams  – integrated oversight teams bringing together social care, police, health and education professionals.
• Family Group Decision Making – early and meaningful involvement of the wider family network in planning and decision-making.

These changes are designed to create a more coherent, less fragmented system of support.

Moving Away from “Targeted Early Help” and “Child in Need”

A major element of the Families First Partnership Programme is the move away from two separate pathways for children who need support. Instead of deciding whether a child falls into Targeted Early Help or Child in Need, Family Help creates:

• A single referral route
• A single Family Help Assessment
• A single plan and review process
• A single Family Help Lead Practitioner role

This approach ensures that families do not experience repeated hand‑offs, re‑assessments or changes in lead worker if their level of need fluctuates. This change will mean that social work qualified and alternatively qualified workers, now known as Family Help Lead Practitioners, will stay with families if their level of need changes between child in need and targeted early help.

The Continuum of Need Under Family Help

Under the previous system, families stepped “up” or “down” between Early Help and statutory children’s social care. Under Family Help, support exists on a continuous spectrum, where the level of work can increase or reduce within the same pathway.

This enables a smoother, more flexible response as needs change.

Establishing the Internal Family Help Service (Go Live July 2026)

From July 2026, Cheshire West and Chester will launch its internal Family Help service, creating one integrated structure that combines the former Targeted Early Help and Children in Need services.

The internal service will deliver:

• A consistent, unified pathway for all families needing support
• One assessment and plan for all levels of need
• Continuity of the lead practitioner
• Locality based support across Ellesmere Port, Chester, and Northwich/Winsford

It is important to note that this new internal service is the structural foundation of Family Help. It brings teams together and establishes the single workflow and leadership model set out in the national guidance.

Multi Agency Child Protection Teams

Multi Agency Child Protection Teams must be in place nationally by April 2027 and include:

• Social workers
• Police
• Health professionals
• An education professional

These teams will:

• Oversee Section 47 enquiries
• Support decision making
• Convene strategy meetings
• Convene child protection conferences
• Liaise directly with schools via the new Education Liaison Officer
• Resolve barriers and quality assure complex child protection work

Two Multi Agency Child Protection Teams s will operate locally (covering Ellesmere Port and Chester and Northwich and Winsford).

Family Networks and Family Group Decision Making

From July 2026, the expanded Family Networks team will:

• Provide Family Group Decision Making before any court application
• Support earlier Family Network Meetings
• Embed the “Think Family” approach into everyday practice

This strengthens prevention and ensures families help shape solutions from the earliest point.

Developing Multi-Disciplinary Working Within Family Help (2026–27)

While the internal Family Help service goes live in July 2026, the development of a full “Family Help” offer for Cheshire West and Chester, including Multi-Disciplinary Teams , is a separate but connected strand of work.

What Multi-Disciplinary Teams Will Bring

Multi-Disciplinary Teams are intended to include a range of professionals, examples can be found in The Families First Partnership (FFP) Programme Guide. These professionals will work alongside Family Help practitioners to offer more holistic, joined up support.

Separate Implementation Timeline

While the internal Family Help service will be operational from July 2026, Multi-Disciplinary Team development continues through 2026/27, with the aim of meeting national expectations by April 2027.

Implementation Timeline

July 2026

• Internal Family Help service launches (single pathway)
• Family Networks expansion
• Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams begin operating

2026/27

• Ongoing development of multi-disciplinary teams in Family Help
• Alignment with similar approaches to multi-disciplinary working

April 2027

• National deadline for all reforms to be embedded

What This Means for Professionals

Even if you are not familiar with children’s services, the new arrangements mean:

You only need to navigate one pathway for Targeted Early Help and Children in Need.

Family Help provides clarity on referral, assessment and planning.

You will work in a more joined up system.

Multi-disciplinary teams and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams ensure stronger collaboration and clearer routes to specialist advice.

You can expect earlier involvement of extended family.

Family Group Decision Making and Family Networks place family solutions at the centre.

You will see fewer hand‑offs and more continuity for families.

The Family Help Lead Practitioner remains consistent, even when needs change.