Families First Partnership

1 May 2026

The Families First Partnership (FFP) is transforming how Derbyshire works together to support children, young people and families. Its focus is on earlier help, clearer pathways and stronger joined‑up working, while ensuring children are kept safe and families are involved in decisions that affect them.

In Derbyshire, Families First is being delivered through 3 connected strands:

• Family Help – earlier, co-ordinated support around families
• Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) – strengthening family involvement in planning
• Multi‑Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT) – improving joint safeguarding decision‑making

Work across the programme is now progressing from planning into delivery, with pilot activity underway in preparation for formal launch phases later in the spring.

Ahead of an early May launch, the FGDM pilot is now moving from planning into active preparation and delivery work. During this phase, the Family Group Decision Making Team (currently the Family Group Conferencing Team) will operate as the dedicated FGDM service for the pilot areas. The pilot will run across:

• North East Derbyshire and Bolsover District
• 2 Amber Valley teams, managed by Shelley Cooper

In these areas, families will be referred to the FGDM team at Child Protection stage, specifically where a Child Protection Plan is agreed at Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC).

For all other Derbyshire localities, current arrangements will continue as usual, including Family Solutions Meetings and wider support.

What does this mean for colleagues?

The FGDM pilot is designed to support frontline practice, not add to it.

By allocating an independent co-ordinator to work with families and their networks on safety planning, the approach removes a substantial piece of work from the social worker's day‑to‑day responsibilities. This allows practitioners to concentrate on their core safeguarding role, including assessment, analysis and risk management.

Families are supported to come together, identify their strengths and contribute to developing practical safety plans, with professional oversight. This helps improve transparency, reduce duplication and support better outcomes for children and families.

Training for Family Solutions Meetings remains available via Derbyshire Training Online for staff who wish to refresh or develop their skills.

The Families First Partnership website is now live, bringing together background information, updates and resources as the programme develops.

For FGDM‑specific queries, please contact Lynsey Turner, team manager email lynsey.turner@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01629 537163.