Derbyshire's Family First Partnership
The Family First Partnership (FFP) is a national programme transforming how children, young people and families are supported across England.
It's designed to strengthen early help, improve child protection and ensure services work together in a more joined-up way. The focus is simple: children are safe, families receive help earlier, and support is co-ordinated around the whole family.
In Derbyshire, we're delivering this reform in partnership with colleagues across social care, health, education, police, voluntary and community organisations and other key services. Together, we're building a system that is more relational, preventative and centred on children and families.
The programme is guided by national safeguarding expectations, including the Children's Social Care National Framework and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Through Families First, we aim to:
- improve outcomes for children and families through earlier, more effective support
- strengthen collaboration between agencies so families experience co-ordinated help
- reduce pressure on crisis services by preventing problems from escalating
- empower families to take an active role in shaping plans and decisions
- use partnership resources more effectively across the system
The programme is delivered through 3 connected areas of reform:
- Family Help: bringing together professionals from different services to provide earlier, joined-up support to families, with one lead practitioner and one adaptable plan
- Multi-agency child protection teams (MACPTs): establishing dedicated multi-agency teams to ensure timely, high-quality decision-making and stronger safeguarding for children at risk of significant harm
- Family group decision-making (FGDM): supporting families and their wider networks to come together and develop their own plans to keep children safe and well, with professional support where needed
FFP in Derbyshire is delivered through a strong multi-agency partnership. This includes statutory safeguarding partners, health services, education, police, voluntary and community organisations and other local services.
Clear governance arrangements are in place to oversee delivery, monitor impact and ensure accountability.
To find out more about our partnership membership, governance structure and resources visit the FFP Partners Hub.
Contact us
If you'd like further information about the Family First Partnership programme in Derbyshire, email cs.familiesfirstpartnership@derbyshire.gov.uk.