Child Friendly Warwickshire

Warwickshire is proud to be one of just ten local authorities selected as a pathfinder for the national Families First for Children programme.  This government programme is all about working together earlier and better to support children and families when they need help.

All councils will be making these changes by 2027, and we are pleased that Warwickshire is starting early so we can help shape how things work.

Warwickshire’s Families First approach is built on four key ideas to make sure families get the right help, at the right time, from the right people:

• Family Help - Provides timely, targeted support to help families overcome challenges and stay together. It brings together different types of help into one joined-up service, so families don’t have to repeat their story or deal with lots of different professionals. A dedicated team works closely with each family to build strong relationships, create support plans, and connect them with other services. The goal is to help families stay together, feel supported, and make decisions that are right for them.
• The Multi Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) - Professionals from different services—like social care, health, and the police—work together to quickly respond to serious concerns about a child’s safety, whether at home or outside the home. They share important information, use their expertise, and work with families in a caring and respectful way to make sure children are protected and supported in the best possible way.
• Family Networks - This approach helps extended family members play a bigger role in supporting children, especially during tough times. Families are encouraged to make decisions together through Family Network Meetings, and extra financial help is available through Family Network Support Packages. This support can help children stay safely at home or move into the care of relatives if needed.
• Multi Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (MASA) - Warwickshire is working to make sure all the organisations that help keep children safe—like the council, police, health services, and schools—work closely together as one team. This new partnership, called the Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, makes sure everyone shares responsibility and communicates clearly. By working together, they can respond quickly to concerns, learn from experience, and keep improving the support they offer to children and families.

We believe that these changes will help make things better for children and families in Warwickshire. But we know that change can sometimes make families feel anxious about what lies ahead.

That is why we promise to keep talking with families, listen to their ideas, and work together to build services that really help. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to engage and work with families to develop our services and strengthen our communities.

Find information about Warwickshire's Families First resources.

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions or thoughts regarding Warwickshire Families First, please get in touch via: childfriendly@warwickshire.gov.uk

Read the latest updates of Families First in our Bulletins:

1. Families First Bulletin - First Edition (MS Sway) - Introducing Warwickshire's Families First for Children programme - a collaborative partnership involving Warwickshire County Council, Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board and Warwickshire Police to improve services and early support for children, young people and families.
2. Families First Bulletin - Second Edition (MS Sway) - The Family Networks programme is live - supporting families who require further assessment with family network meetings and support packages.
3. Families First Bulletin - Third Edition (MS Sway) - Launch of Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Partnership - dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people across Warwickshire.
4. Families First Bulletin - Fourth Edition (MS Sway) - A new Family Network Meeting animation - explaining what a Family Network meeting is and how it can support families, children and young people.
5. Families First Bulletin - Fifth Edition (MS Sway) - The new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team is live – how it will be responsible for all child protection decisions made in Warwickshire.
6. Families First Bulletin - Sixth Edition (MS Sway) - Families First Multi Agency roadshows sharing changes - Family Connect, Early Support, Family Help and the Relational Practice Framework.
7. Families First Bulletin - Seventh Edition (MS Sway) - An overview of how the Families First changes will impact Early Help services, now known as Early Support, in Warwickshire