DfE Consultation - Improving help and child protection
Government consultation on updates to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, the Children’s Social Care National Framework 2026, and the policy underpinning Multi-Agency Child Protection Team regulations.
The DfE launched a consultation on 22nd June to gather views on proposed changes to the above key documents and policy – the consultation runs until the 4th September.
The consultation seeks views on:
- Accountability of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, including leadership, accountability and the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer;
- multi-agency child protection teams;
- the delivery of Family Help and earlier more joined-up support for families;
- family networks and family group decision making;
- a strengthened response to extra familial harms;
- child protection for looked-after children;
- responding to potential for extreme violence;
- enduring relationships for looked after children and care leavers;
- implementation of the Children’s Social Care National Framework.
There is a series of webinars to engage with the consultation – these have limited places so early booking is advised.
Two general overview webinars: Please note - both sessions will cover the same information, please only sign up to one of the general overview webinars:
Click here to register for general overview webinar 1: Thursday 30 July, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Click here to register for general overview webinar 2: Thursday 27 August, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Four sector-specific webinars:
Click here to register for local authority webinar: Wednesday 12 August, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Click here to register for health webinar: Monday 3 August, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Click here to register for police webinar: Tuesday 21 July, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Click here to register for education webinar: Monday 13 July, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Five deep-dive webinars on key policy proposals:
Click here to register for ‘Voice of children and their families’ webinar: Tuesday 1 September, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Click here to register for ‘Multi-agency safeguarding arrangements’ webinar: Wednesday 19 August, 10:00am – 11:30am
Click here to register for ‘Help and support’ webinar: Thursday 6 August, 13.30 - 15.00
Click here to register for ‘Protection’ webinar: Tuesday 28 July, 10:00am – 11:30am
Click here to register for ‘Improving outcomes’ webinar: Thursday 23 July, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
The consultation is now live on GOV.UK
These proposals form part of wider reforms to strengthen clarity, accountability and multi-agency working. They seek views on updates to the statutory framework for help, support and protection for children and families, which will inform revisions to both sets of statutory guidance and the development of MACPT regulations.
Feedback will also inform wider safeguarding guidance and related policy development. Please consider engaging with the consultation, either by responding online, attending a webinar, or both. There is a version of the consultation for Children and Young People - Improving help and child protection : revised framework (Children and young person's version) - Department for Education - Citizen Space.