The Families First reforms, introduced by the Department for Education (DfE), will propose a major shift in how children’s social care is delivered within England. Based on the MacAlister Review (Stable Homes Built on Love), these new reforms aim to provide earlier, more integrated support for families, with a focus on consistency and collaboration.

Understanding the Reforms

The reforms focus on two key changes. The creation of a new Family Help service, which merges Early Help and Child in Need services, as well as the establishment of multi-agency teams. The reforms will enable teams to work together to provide more consistent support, ensuring they stay with families throughout their journey.

The reforms are supported by the Children’s Well-being and Schools Bill, currently progressing through the House of Lords. The full rollout of the bill is expected by April 2026.

Funding and Legislative Context

The Government has committed £250 million to support the reforms. This includes £20 million from the local government financial settlement and £253.5 million from the Supporting Families programme. Local authorities are expected to allocate at least 30% of this funding to transformation activities.

The Bill has broad cross-party support, and no significant changes are expected during its passage through Parliament.

DfE Engagement and Sector Feedback

System C has been in conversations with the DfE, raising concerns about the lack of early guidance, the need for consistent implementation, and the importance of reducing administrative burdens on social workers. The DfE has acknowledged these issues and committed to involving suppliers and local authorities more closely in the development process.

There is also recognition that reporting requirements will evolve. As of May 2025, no changes are expected for 2025–26, but future returns may include universal services.

Pathfinder Authorities and Early Learning

Authorities such as Wirral are acting as pathfinders, trialling different aspects of the reforms. These include service redesign, multi-agency hubs, shared assessments, and new approaches to data sharing. Each authority is starting from a different point, and their experiences should help to shape national guidance.

Preparing for Implementation

Local authorities are encouraged to begin preparations now.

Key activities include:

  • Establishing data sharing agreements and information governance protocols
  • Reviewing system access for external users and considering the use of Azure Proxy for secure access
  • Training external professionals and ensuring local support teams are adequately resourced
  • Designing role-based access and simplifying user interfaces
  • Reviewing reporting strategies to ensure appropriate data access and security

Authorities should also consider how to implement a single assessment and plan that evolves with the family and is accessible to all relevant professionals.

Digital Tools and System Enhancements

Tools such as the Children’s Portal, Delegation Portal, and Liquidlogic Commissioning can support digital engagement, referrals, and service directories. Shared Care Records and legitimate access controls can also help local authorities to achieve secure and appropriate information sharing.

Integrating Shared Care Records into solutions can bring significant benefits. By removing data silos and allowing immediate access to relevant information, these records enhance decision-making, ensure data consistency, and improve the overall quality of care provided to children and families.

This integration plays a crucial role in supporting the Families First reforms. It enables efficient data sharing among multi-agency teams, ensuring that every professional involved in a family’s care has access to the most current information. As a result, families can receive timely and coordinated support, which aligns with the reform’s goals of early intervention, comprehensive and joined-up care.

Ongoing Collaboration with the DfE

System C will continue to engage with the DfE, to track legislative developments, and support local authorities through the transition. The customer forum will serve as the primary communication channel, and authorities are encouraged to share their experiences and feedback.

The Families First reforms offer a unique opportunity to reshape children’s social care in England. By working collaboratively across agencies and systems, local authorities can build a more responsive, compassionate, and effective service that truly puts families first.

Next steps

Discover how Shared Care Records Integration is transforming patient care through seamless data sharing and collaboration by exploring our demo.

You can also learn more about the MacAlister Review on the Gov.UK website.

Be part of the discussion and stay updated on the latest developments by using our customer forum.

Read our news & blogs for the latest updates and insights.