Derbyshire already has a number of established strengths that support the development of the Family Help model. The Families First Partnership Programme will build on these foundations rather than introducing an entirely new system.
Our current structure promotes collaborative working across Child in Need and Child Protection services. Practice is supported by our established model, Stronger Families Safer Children, which is relational, strengths-based and systemic in approach.
This practice model is applied consistently across Child in Need and Child Protection and supports practitioners to work effectively with families from diverse backgrounds. It ensures that the voice of the child and family remains central to assessment, planning and decision-making.
For many years, children’s social care in Derbyshire has operated a single assessment and Child’s Plan. This approach is designed to respond to a wide range of needs and circumstances, including children with special educational needs and disabilities, disabled children and families affected by parental imprisonment. A similar assessment framework is also used within Early Help and by partner agencies.
The intention behind the single assessment and plan has been to reduce duplication and prevent families from having to repeatedly share their story. This provides a strong platform for the Family Help principle of one assessment and one evolving plan.
Derbyshire has a well-established multi-agency front door, Starting Point, with co-located professionals from police, health, education and probation. Strategy discussions are held on new referrals, and each locality undertakes timely multi-agency strategy discussions for open cases. This supports coordinated decision-making at the earliest stage.
Through the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, there is an agreed multi-agency threshold document and local assessment protocol. This provides clarity for partners about levels of need and expectations for intervention.
Children’s Services also has access to a range of population-level assessments and datasets to support understanding of demand, need and performance. This intelligence informs planning, service design and continuous improvement.
Ongoing Development
The Family Help workstream is reviewing the structures and systems required to further strengthen partnership delivery and improve the experience of asking for and receiving help. This includes consideration of governance, workforce arrangements, operational processes and data systems to ensure they support a more integrated Family Help offer.
At a strategic level, the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership is supporting alignment between Derbyshire County Council and Derby City. This work aims to strengthen joint partnership arrangements and prepare for future Local Government Reorganisation outcomes.