Children's Social Care reset: Government publishes implementation plan for 2026–2029

The Department for Education has published its implementation plan for the next phase of children's social care reform, setting out how local authorities and partners will deliver the changes introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 over the period 2026–2029. The plan forms part of the government's wider vision to reform children's social care through earlier intervention, stronger family support and improved multi-agency working.

The implementation plan focuses on three key ambitions:

• Delivering improved Family Help arrangements.
• Strengthening support for family networks.
• Ensuring children who cannot remain at home have access to stable, high-quality care and support.

A central feature of the reforms is the continued rollout of the Families First Partnership Programme, which aims to create a more seamless system of support for children and families by bringing together early help, targeted support and safeguarding services. The programme includes the development of Family Help services, Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams and greater use of Family Group Decision Making.

The implementation plan also outlines actions to strengthen the children's social care workforce, improve services, enhance accountability arrangements and support local areas in implementing the new legislative requirements.

Significant investment has been committed to support delivery. The reforms are backed by £2.4 billion through the Families First Partnership Programme alongside additional funding to improve the care market, expand children's home provision and strengthen fostering capacity.

Key reforms being introduced over the coming years include:

• Family Help services designed to provide more joined-up support for families.
• Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams bringing together social care, health, education and police expertise.
• Increased use of Family Group Decision Making and support for family networks.
• Development of Regional Care Cooperatives.
• Strengthened support for kinship carers and care leavers.
• Improvements to information sharing, accountability and workforce development.

The implementation plan follows the government's wider strategy, Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families Thrive, and represents the next stage in what is widely regarded as the most significant programme of children's social care reform for a generation.

For local authorities and partner agencies, the focus now shifts from planning and transformation activity towards implementation, with many areas already redesigning services and preparing for the national expectations around Family Help, child protection and family network support.

See HERE