With the implementation of the Families First Partnership programme and the passing of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, find out what the changes mean for your practice at Community Care’s forthcoming conference.
The government’s reforms to children’s social care are proceeding at pace.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 recently passed into law, and the Families First Partnership Programme reforms must be implemented by March 2027, the Department for Education has told councils.
Alongside this, the two-year early career development programme for newly qualified social workers will be rolled out in September 2027, replacing the assessed and supported year in employment in children’s services.
But what do the reforms mean for you, whether as a practitioner or leader?
Get up to speed with the government’s reforms
To find out, sign up for Community Care’s half-day online conference, supported by UNISON, the public services union.
At the conference, which takes place on 1 July, chairs of the Principal Children and Families Social Worker Network Louise Spragg and Tapiwa Julius will provide an overview of the reforms.
Expert lawyer and Community Care Inform legal editor Tim Spencer-Lane will cover the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, and what it does – and does not – change.
And chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel David Holmes will share how the panel is changing in the context of development of the the new Child Protection Authority.
Families First: insights from practice
The Families First Partnership programme is the largest element of the government’s reforms. In a practical session, leaders from two pathfinder authorities will share their insights from implementing the reforms. They are Catherine Worboyes, interim director for children and adult social care pathfinders at Redbridge Council, and Amanda Coyne, service manager for the families first for children pathfinder, Warrington Council.
The final session of the conference will feature a panel discussion about the early career development programme.
The early bird rate for the event is available until 2 June, with tickets costing £95+VAT for those in the public and voluntary sectors, and £220+VAT for those employed by private sector organisations.
We would like to extend our thanks to UNISON for supporting the event.
